Mueni Mutunga appointed Energy Regulatory Authority boss in acting capacity

The Energy and Petroleum Authority (EPRA) has appointed the agency’s Director of Legal Services, Mueni Mutunga, as its acting Director-General, effective Monday, August 17.

In a statement to media released Tuesday, August 18, EPRA says Mutunga “is to serve in the place of Pavel Oimeke whose contract is currently the subject of a Court case, under which Conservatory Orders have been made and are still pending”.

Oimeke’s three-year term as EPRA boss ended on July 31, 2020.

A petition seeking to bar the Ministry of Energy from reappointing Oimeke for another three years until the matter is heard and determined, was filed by one Dindi Oscar Okumu, who accused Oimeke of irregular issuance of licences and appointments that had failed to ‘reflect the face of Kenya’ with close to 80 percent of his recruits reportedly from one community.

Following the filing of Petition 114 of 2020, Justice Byram Ongaya of the Employment and Labour Relations Court issued conservatory orders.

“The Board’s choice of Mueni Mutunga for this role is based upon her seniority in service, and upon a duly approved succession plan,” said the Board Chairperson Retd. Justice Prof. Jackton B. Ojwang.

Mueni Mutunga is the EPRA Board Secretary and Director Legal Services. She is responsible for providing legal advisory services to the Authority to ensure compliance with existing law and regulatory requirements.

Her career started at Robson Harris & Co advocates where she worked as an advocate. She later moved to Total Kenya Ltd. where she worked as a legal officer. Prior to joining EPRA, she was the Corporation Secretary of Kenya Wildlife Service.

Mutunga holds a Master in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws degree both from the University of Nairobi. She also holds a Diploma in Legal practice from the Kenya School of Law. She has also trained extensively in Good Corporate Governance and is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Law Society of Kenya.