NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 30 – The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has appointed insider Edward Mwirigi Kinyua as its new Director General (DG), replacing Daniel Kiptoo, who left the position earlier this year.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said Kinyua’s appointment followed a competitive recruitment process conducted in accordance with the law and relevant human resource guidelines and takes effect immediately.

“Eng. Edward Mwirigi Kinyua – Director General, EPRA. The appointments, which are to take effect immediately, are a culmination of rigorous recruitment processes undertaken in accordance with the applicable laws and relevant Human Resource guidelines,” Wandayi said in a statement.

Kinyua, who previously served as EPRA’s Petroleum and Gas Director, takes over after Kiptoo stepped down amid ongoing investigations into alleged manipulation of national fuel stock data, which reportedly created a false supply crisis and triggered emergency fuel procurement in the energy sector.

Following Kiptoo’s departure, EPRA appointed Joseph Oketch as Acting DG pending the recruitment of a substantive head of the regulator.