President William Ruto has revoked George Wanga’s appointment as EPRA chairperson, effective immediately. A gazette notice announced Adan Haji Ali as his replacement.
Wanga, husband of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, was appointed in January 2025. His profile has since been removed from EPRA’s website.
Wanga brought in over 20 years of leadership experience in public and private sectors. He holds an MBA and a BA in Economics from the University of Nairobi.
His appointment coincided with Raila Odinga’s broad-based government alliance with Ruto’s government, replacing Jackton Boma Ojwang’.
EPRA regulates Kenya’s energy sector, overseeing licensing, tariffs, and compliance. The chairperson guides governance, strategy, and policy.
Adan Haji Ali, former Mandera South MP (2017–2022), will serve a three-year term. He lost his re-election bid in 2022. Before politics, Ali worked in hospitality and tourism management.
From 2013–2017, he was Kwale County’s CEC for Tourism and ICT. In 2024, the EACC issued a warrant for his arrest over alleged graft involving Ksh51 million.
Ali is accused of failing to disclose private interests in a hotel linked to his family. The facility allegedly overcharged Kwale County for services during his tenure.
Wanga’s appointment revocation may have stemmed from his wife’s, Governor Wanga, strong stance and critical statement on extrajudicial killings, according to observers.