NAIROBI -Gladys Wanga’s husband, George Wanga, has been sacked from his post as chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), just five months after his appointment by President William Ruto.
Wanga has been replaced by former Mandera South MP Adan Haji Ali, a move confirmed through a gazette notice issued Wednesday. No official reason was given for Wanga’s removal, which comes amid political realignments and growing scrutiny over key public appointments.
Wanga, who took over the role in January 2025, was appointed during a wave of reshuffles that followed a surprise political handshake between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. His rise had also coincided with the exit of retired Supreme Court Judge Jackton Boma Ojwang, who previously held the post.
As chair of EPRA, Wanga was tasked with overseeing one of Kenya’s most sensitive regulatory bodies, which manages energy pricing, licensing, and sector-wide policy. His profile—since removed from EPRA’s website—described him as a veteran in governance, with over two decades of leadership experience in both public and private sectors. He holds a Master’s degree in Operations Management and a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Nairobi.
His dismissal has not gone unnoticed, especially given his political ties as the spouse of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, a prominent ODM leader and ally of Raila Odinga.
Enter Adan Haji – With Luggage
The man replacing Wanga is no stranger to public service-or controversy.Adan Haji Ali, who served as MP for Mandera South from 2017 to 2022, brings a mixed record. A seasoned hotel manager and former county official, he also has unresolved issues with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In February 2024, Haji was named in a Ksh51 million corruption probe linked to his tenure as the Tourism Executive in Kwale County. Investigators accused him of failing to declare his family’s interest in a hotel that received inflated payments from the county for accommodation and conference services.
Despite these accusations, Haji is set to serve a three-year term at the helm of EPRA. His long career includes international work in Austria, Italy, Turkey, and Tunisia, and nearly 20 years as General Manager at Baobab Beach Resort.
He also served in Kwale’s county government from 2013 to 2017, overseeing innovation and ICT before making the jump to national politics.
Haji’s appointment is likely to raise fresh questions about transparency and accountability in state appointments, especially with corruption charges still pending.
Neither George Wanga nor Adan Haji Ali responded to requests for comment.
As Kenyans grapple with high fuel prices and persistent energy concerns, all eyes will be on how the new EPRA chair handles the pressure-and whether the agency can maintain public trust under his watch.
