President William Ruto has appointed Adan Haji Ali as the new non-executive
Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
In a special issue of the Kenya Gazette dated June 16, 2025, Ruto exercised
powers under Section 12(1)(a) of the Energy Act, 2019, to make the appointment.
Ali will serve for a period of three years, effective immediately.
Sitting at the zenith of the Authority’s board leadership, Ali’s role will be to facilitate effective corporate governance, strategy and oversight.
He will offer the needed policy direction with the aim of enabling the Authority to effectively deliver on its statutory mandate and corporate performance
Ali will replace George Wanga.
“The appointment of George Wanga is revoked,” reads the Gazette Notice No. 7850.
Wanga is the husband of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
Wanga was appointed the Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on January 17, 2025, by Ruto.
Ali is a former member of parliament for Mandera South Constituency.
During his tenure as MP, he served as the trade, industry & cooperatives committee chair.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is Kenya’s official regulatory body for the energy and petroleum sectors.
It was established under the Energy Act, 2019, taking over from the former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
EPRA is mandated to oversee the economic and technical regulation of electricity, renewable energy, petroleum, and coal. It also implements the Petroleum Act, 2019, giving it broader oversight in the country’s growing oil and gas sector.
Among its key responsibilities is the regulation of power generation, transmission, distribution, and supply — except for nuclear facilities. EPRA also handles the regulation of the importation, refining, storage, transportation, and sale of petroleum and its products.
The authority supervises upstream petroleum operations and enforces petroleum agreements within Kenya. In addition, EPRA sets, reviews, and approves electricity and fuel tariffs.
Another crucial part of its role is protecting the interests of consumers, investors, and other stakeholders. The authority monitors trade practices and operations of licensed entities, ensuring that their conduct is fair and transparent.
Environmental, health, safety, and quality standards are enforced by EPRA in collaboration with relevant authorities. It also collects and maintains data on energy and petroleum sectors, which is key for policy and planning.
To promote energy efficiency, EPRA works to ensure that only energy-efficient and cost-effective appliances and equipment are brought into the Kenyan market.
Through these functions, EPRA plays a central role in shaping Kenya’s energy future while balancing investor interest, public safety, and environmental concerns.
