President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of George Wanga as Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and replaced him with former Mandera South MP, Adan Haji Ali.
The announcement was made through a gazette notice released on Tuesday, June 18, marking an abrupt end to Wanga’s tenure, just five months after his appointment in January 2025. Wanga, who is the husband to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, had succeeded retired Supreme Court Judge Jackton Boma Ojwang.
Ali is set to take over the role for a three-year term.
The revocation raises eyebrows in political circles, especially considering Wanga’s appointment came during a period of rapprochement between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga — a move that was widely seen as a gesture of inclusion and power-sharing.
No reasons were given for Wanga’s sudden ouster, but political analysts are already linking the shift to emerging alignments ahead of 2027, as well as potential rifts within the Kenya Kwanza-led administration.
Adan Haji Ali brings a mix of legislative and managerial experience to the position. The former legislator served Mandera South from 2017 to 2022 under the Jubilee Party. He chaired the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and was also a member of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee.
Reacting to the appointment, a senior energy sector official who sought anonymity said, “Ali’s background in both governance and business could offer a fresh lens in navigating EPRA’s regulatory demands, especially with the growing complexities in the energy sector.”
Prior to his stint in Parliament, Ali held senior management roles in the hospitality industry, including as General Manager of Baobab Beach Resort from 1994 to 2013. He also served in Kwale County Government as the CEC for Tourism, Innovations, and ICT between 2013 and 2017.
His international experience spans Austria, Italy, Turkey and Tunisia — a résumé some say positions him to bring a global perspective to the helm of EPRA.
Wanga has yet to issue a public statement on his removal.
His appointment takes effect immediately.
