NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has tapped former Mandera South MP Adan Haji Ali as the new non-executive chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), replacing George Wanga in a swift reshuffle that’s turning heads.
The announcement came via a special issue of the Kenya Gazette dated June 16, 2025.
Citing Section 12(1)(a) of the Energy Act, 2019, President Ruto exercised his authority to appoint Ali for a three-year term, effective immediately. And just like that, Wanga is out — his appointment officially revoked in Gazette Notice No. 7850.
Wanga, who had been appointed to the role in January 2025, is notably the husband of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga — a political detail unlikely to go unnoticed in the current climate of power plays.
Ali’s new role at EPRA puts him at the helm of a regulatory body that’s no stranger to public scrutiny, especially as Kenya grapples with fuel pricing, energy transition, and policy reforms.
As non-executive chair, he’ll be responsible for driving board-level leadership, ensuring proper oversight, and keeping EPRA strategically aligned with its corporate and statutory mandates.
Ali isn’t a newcomer to public service. During his stint in Parliament, he chaired the Trade, Industry & Cooperatives Committee, giving him a solid foundation in regulatory oversight and economic policy.