President William Ruto on June 18 appointed Adan Haji Ali as the new non-executive chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), ushering in a significant leadership shift at the critical energy sector regulator.
His appointment, announced through a gazette notice, comes just months after George Wanga—the husband of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, was named to the same role. Wanga’s removal and Haji’s appointment mark yet another notable reshuffle within the administration.
As Chairperson, Haji will be responsible for steering EPRA’s strategic leadership, governance, and oversight—key duties for an agency tasked with setting tariffs, issuing licenses, and enforcing energy and petroleum regulations across the country.
But who exactly is Adan Haji Ali, and what makes his appointment both notable and controversial?
Here are five key things to know:
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He Has a Background in Hospitality and Tourism
Before stepping into the world of politics and public administration, Adan Haji spent nearly two decades in the hospitality industry.
From 1994 to 2013, he served as the General Manager at Baobab Beach Resort in Diani, one of Kenya’s well-known coastal hotels. His long tenure there gave him extensive experience in managing large teams, handling operations, and dealing with both local and international clients.
His exposure to the hospitality sector, both in Kenya and abroad, likely helped shape his administrative and people-management skills—skills he now brings to a much larger national role.
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He Has Worked Across Several Countries
Adan Haji is not new to international environments. Apart from working in Kenya, he has held managerial roles in countries such as Austria, Italy, Turkey, and Tunisia. This global exposure may influence how he approaches leadership at EPRA, especially when it comes to aligning Kenya’s energy standards with international best practices.
His cross-border work experience adds a layer of global understanding to a job that increasingly requires international cooperation, especially in renewable energy and sustainability efforts.
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He Served as a County Executive Member in Kwale
Between 2013 and 2017, Adan Haji served in the Kwale County Government as the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member in charge of Tourism, Innovations, and ICT. During this period, he was involved in county-level policy and development programs.
His role gave him direct experience with public service delivery and allowed him to understand how government projects are planned, funded, and executed. These experiences could inform how he approaches strategy and oversight at EPRA.
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He Was Mandera South MP Between 2017 and 2022
Adan Haji later entered national politics and was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mandera South in the 2017 general elections under the Jubilee Party. He served in this role until 2022. While in Parliament, he was involved in legislative processes, constituency development projects, and national budget debates.
Although he lost his re-election bid in 2022, his time in Parliament gave him a national platform and added political weight to his resume—a possible factor in his recent appointment to EPRA.
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His Appointment Comes Amid Graft Allegations
One of the most talked-about aspects of Adan Haji’s appointment is the fact that he is facing unresolved corruption allegations. In early 2024, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) summoned him over claims that he misused Ksh 51 million during his time as Kwale CEC.
He was accused of awarding inflated contracts to a hotel linked to his family members without proper disclosure of a conflict of interest. Adan Haji pleaded not guilty in court and was released on bond. Despite these ongoing legal issues, he has now been entrusted with overseeing a critical regulatory agency.
