In a press briefing, EPRA said 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.
“EPRA board has appointed Joseph Oketch as the acting director general of EPRA.,” said Adan Haji.
The board stated that Okech has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, and it was confident he would effectively steer the Authority in the acting capacity.
“We want to assure the country and our partners of the authority’s stability and its ability to remain efficient and sustainable in managing the energy sector,” said Adan Haji.
Additionally, EPRA noted that the appointment of Oketch was made in view of EPRA’s crucial and strategic mandate as Kenya’s regulator for the energy sector.
EPRA Appoints Joseph Okech as Acting Director General
Joseph Oketch currently serves as the head of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Directorate.
He oversees the formulation, review, and monitoring of regulations, standards, and codes for the electrical and renewable energy sub-sectors.
Prior to joining EPRA about 10 years ago, he had served in senior positions at Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
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Joseph Oketch holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from Kenyatta University.
He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Management from Kenyatta University.
Additionally, Oketch is a Member of the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) and the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), and a Registered Professional Engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
Energy PS, EPRA Chief, and KPC Director Resign
This appointment comes hours after the government announced the resignation of Daniel Kiptoo, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, and Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang.
The three officials resigned amid allegations of irregularities in the petroleum supply chain that led to their arrest.
The president, William Ruto, reiterated that such actions constitute serious breaches of public trust and may amount to economic crimes under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Penal Code.
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Earlier, Business Daily reported that the three officials were linked to two fuel shipments imported outside the Government-to-Government (G2G) framework and found to contain substandard fuel.
Further, it noted that last month the shipments were supplied by One Petroleum and Oryx, each delivering about 60 tonnes of petrol.
One of the shipments was sold at USD 290 (approximately KSh37,690) per tonne, more than three times the USD 84 (approximately KSh10,917.48) per tonne under the G-to-G deal.
