Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has appointed Engineer Edward Mwirigi Kinyua as the new Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Kinyua assumes leadership of the regulator as Kenya’s petroleum industry remains under scrutiny over issues surrounding fuel quality, imports and pricing.
His appointment is part of a broader leadership change at major energy agencies, with CPA Tom Odhiambo Imbo appointed Managing Director and CEO of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).
Stephen Kipsang Busieney has also been named Managing Director and CEO of the Geothermal Development Company (GDC).
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said the three appointments take effect immediately and were made following recruitment processes undertaken by the respective boards in line with the law and applicable human resource guidelines.
"The Cabinet Secretary takes this opportunity to congratulate the appointees and looks forward to their leadership in supporting H.E. the President's ambitious plans for the Energy and Petroleum Sector," the ministry said in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30.
Kinyua succeeds Dr Eng. Joseph Oketch, who had been serving as EPRA’s acting Director General following the resignation of former Director General Daniel Kiptoo.
Oketch previously headed EPRA’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Directorate before taking over in an acting capacity. He was responsible for overseeing the formulation, review and monitoring of regulations, codes and standards governing the electricity and renewable energy sectors.
Prior to his appointment as Director General, Kinyua served as head of EPRA’s Petroleum and Gas Directorate, where he handled regulatory matters relating to Kenya’s oil and gas industry.
His appointment comes months after Kiptoo was arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside other senior energy officials over investigations into alleged imports of substandard fuel.
Kiptoo was subsequently released as investigations into the matter continued, while the fuel importation case placed additional scrutiny on EPRA’s oversight of the petroleum sector.
Kinyua’s appointment also comes nearly two months after President William Ruto appointed former Bumula MP Moses Wekesa Mwambu Mabonga as EPRA’s new Chairperson, completing a fresh leadership team at the regulator.
