Kenya: EPRA Appoints Joseph Oketch As New Acting Director-General

Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has appointed Dr Joseph Oketch as its Acting Director-General following the resignation of Director-General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria.

In a statement issued on Sunday, April 5, and signed by Board Chairperson Adan Haji Ali, the authority said its board received Bargoria’s resignation on Saturday afternoon and thanked him for what it described as dedicated service, wishing him well in his future endeavours.

The authority said the appointment of Oketch was made in view of EPRA’s crucial and strategic mandate as Kenya’s energy sector regulator, including setting and reviewing electricity and petroleum tariffs, licensing industry players, enforcing safety and quality standards, and protecting consumers.

EPRA noted that Oketch currently heads the Electricity and Renewable Energy Directorate, where he oversees the formulation, review, and monitoring of regulations, standards, and codes for the electrical and renewable energy sub-sectors.

According to the board, Oketch has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector and previously served in senior roles at Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) before joining EPRA about 10 years ago.

His academic qualifications include a BSc in Electrical Engineering (University of Nairobi), an MBA in Strategic Management (Kenyatta University), a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management (University of Nairobi), and a PhD in Strategic Management (Kenyatta University).

EPRA said he is a member of the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) and the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), and is a registered professional engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).

The board expressed confidence that Oketch would “effectively steer the Authority” in his acting capacity and assured stakeholders of the regulator’s stability.

“We, importantly, assure the country and stakeholders of the stability of the Authority and that it remains steadfast in effectively and sustainably regulating the energy sector,” the statement said.