In a high-stakes political shuffle, President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of George Wanga as non-executive Chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), replacing him with former Mandera South MP Adan Haji Ali. The appointment, made official through Gazette Notice No. 7850 on 16th June 2025, has sparked new debate over both political loyalty and ethical scrutiny at the heart of public service.
Wanga, husband to Homa Bay Governor and vocal Azimio opposition figure Gladys Wanga, had only been appointed to the role in January 2025. His appointment was part of a broader political detente that saw ODM leader Raila Odinga edge closer to the Kenya Kwanza administration—at the time, a gesture seen as a symbolic concession to opposition figures. Wanga replaced retired Supreme Court Justice Jackton Ojwang in that earlier shuffle.
Now, just six months later, the political tide appears to have turned.
George Wanga’s sudden exit, announced without explanation, has stirred questions about whether this was a routine replacement or a politically motivated move to sideline figures linked to the opposition. Governor Gladys Wanga has remained a fierce critic of President Ruto, particularly regarding the Finance Bill and matters related to devolution.
The new appointee, Ali will serve a three-year term, returning to public prominence after a stint in political wilderness. He served as Mandera South MP between 2017 and 2022 under the Jubilee Party banner, but failed in his re-election bid, losing to Abdul Haro Kore.
Before his time in Parliament, Ali had an extensive background in management. He was General Manager at Baobab Beach Resort for nearly two decades (1994–2013) and gathered international experience in Austria, Italy, Turkey, and Tunisia. Upon returning to Kenya, he joined the Kwale County Government as CEC Member for Tourism, Innovations, and ICT between 2013 and 2017.
However, his past isn’t without controversy. In February 2024, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) flagged Adan Haji Ali over an alleged Ksh51 million graft case. The case stems from his tenure in Kwale County, where he was accused of failing to disclose a private interest in a hotel partly owned by his wife and son. That same hotel reportedly did business with the county government, offering accommodation and conferencing services at inflated costs. While Ali has denied any wrongdoing, the matter remains under investigation.
The decision to appoint a figure under an active graft probe has raised concerns about the ethical standards being applied to state appointments. Critics may argue that the move highlights a growing pattern in the Ruto administration of rewarding political allies, regardless of public perception or pending legal questions.
