The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) is facing growing scrutiny following a series of allegations touching on procurement practices and the handling of electrification materials, with Director General Dr. Rose Mkalama now at the center of the unfolding controversy.
Sources familiar with the corporation’s operations claim that key materials intended for rural electrification projects, including transformers and power poles, have allegedly been diverted under unclear circumstances. The reported gaps are said to have affected implementation timelines in several regions, raising concern among stakeholders over accountability in the use of public resources.
Questions are also being raised over the corporation’s tendering processes. Insiders within the sector allege that access to tenders and facilitation of payments may, in some instances, be influenced by unofficial demands. Contractors who spoke on condition of anonymity described a system they claim is increasingly difficult to navigate without external pressure, though these claims remain unverified.
There are further concerns that projects initiated to serve rural constituencies are facing delays linked to internal bottlenecks, with some stakeholders pointing to what they describe as a lack of transparency in decision making. The situation has contributed to growing unease within the energy sector, particularly among those directly involved in electrification programmes.
Within industry circles, there is a perception that key operational decisions are increasingly centralized, with stakeholders calling for greater oversight and clarity in procurement and project execution processes. While no formal findings have been made, the consistency of the concerns being raised has drawn attention to the need for closer scrutiny.
The timing of the allegations has also attracted interest, coming at a period when Dr. Mkalama is reportedly nearing the end of her tenure, amid speculation about a possible transition into elective politics. Although this has not been officially confirmed, it has added a layer of public interest to the unfolding developments.
Calls are now intensifying for oversight bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, to independently review the concerns and establish whether there have been breaches in procurement or project management processes.
Stakeholders maintain that any irregularities within REREC would have direct consequences on rural electrification efforts, a key pillar of national development, and are urging swift action to restore confidence in the institution.
As scrutiny deepens, attention now turns to investigative agencies to determine the accuracy of the claims and whether further action will be taken.
