The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy (PICCAE), has commenced investigations into the alleged irregular recruiting of the Director General for the Energy and Petroleum Regulation Authority (EPRA) Mr. Daniel Kiptoo.

The Committee chaired by Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South) commenced the inquiry, following concerns raised by the Auditor General over alleged conflicts of interest in the recruitment process and the unauthorized appointment of Mr. Kiptoo to hold the position without the Cabinet Secretary's approval.

During a meeting with the Chairperson of the EPRA Board, Justice (Rtd) Jackton Ojwang,  raised queries on Mr. Kiptoo's competence for the job.

The Committee emphasized the conflicting nature of Mr. Kiptoo's involvement in the Board meeting that appointed him as the acting Director General, citing Section 1.16(1)(b) of the Code of Governance for State Corporations as the basis for this concern.

Hon. Pkosing observed that despite the Cabinet Secretary's support for the Board's decision, the CS should not have been the authority responsible for the appointment. 

He also emphasized that the board should not have proceeded with appointing the Director General without obtaining prior approval from the Ministry, as clearly stipulated in Part 13 (1) of the Energy Act (2019).

Making his contribution during the meeting, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), pointed out that the appointment process deviated from the prescribed procedural guidelines.

Hon.  Wandayi also highlighted the Board's failure to consider internal management candidates for the position, raising doubts about the leadership's competence.