Ruto Appoints Former Bumula MP Moses Mabonga as New EPRA Chairperson
President William Ruto has appointed former Bumula Member of Parliament Moses Wekesa Mwambu Mabonga as the new Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), in the latest changes affecting the leadership of Kenya’s energy sector.
The appointment was made through a Gazette Notice dated July 24, 2026, and takes effect immediately. Mabonga will serve a three-year term as chairperson of the board overseeing the country’s energy regulator.
The gazette notice states:
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 12(1)(a) of the Energy Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Moses Wekesa Mabonga to be the Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for a period of three years, with effect from the 24th July, 2026.”
As chairperson, Mabonga will lead EPRA’s Board of Directors, which is tasked with providing strategic leadership, policy oversight and corporate governance for the Authority. EPRA is responsible for regulating Kenya’s electricity, petroleum and renewable energy sectors, including licensing, tariff approvals, fuel pricing and consumer protection.
Faith Akiru Kuno Appointed to EPRA Board
In related appointments, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Opiyo Wandayi named Faith Akiru Kuno as a member of EPRA’s Board of Directors for a three-year term.
At the same time, the Cabinet Secretary revoked the appointment of Jennipher Nawoi Long’or with immediate effect as part of the ongoing reorganisation of the Authority’s leadership.
Leadership Changes Follow Fuel Importation Saga
The latest appointments come months after major changes at EPRA following the resignation of former Director General Daniel Kiptoo in April. Kiptoo stepped down after his arrest and detention in connection with investigations into the controversial fuel importation programme.
Following his resignation, President Ruto appointed Engineer Joseph Oketch as the Acting Director General, with the mandate of steering the regulator as investigations continued and reforms within Kenya’s energy sector gathered pace.
The government has maintained that the leadership changes are aimed at strengthening governance, improving accountability and restoring public confidence in the country’s energy regulator.
Changes Extend Beyond EPRA
Beyond the energy sector, President Ruto also revoked the appointment of Thuo Mathenge as the Chairperson of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).
Mathenge’s removal comes less than two years after he was appointed to the position in November 2024, when he replaced Peter Weru.
The latest appointments and revocations form part of a broader restructuring of leadership across several state agencies as the government seeks to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery.
