The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) board of directors on Friday announced the reinstatement of Dr. Pavel Oimeke as the Director-General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
His reinstatement comes after the High Court on October 6 dismissed a petition challenging his reappointment for a second term.
Mr. Oimeke stepped aside in August due to the pending case forcing the board to appoint the authority’s Secretary and Director of Legal Affairs Mueni Mutunga as Acting Director-General.
In August, The Employment and Labour Relations Court blocked the renewal of Dr Oimeke’s term pending the hearing and determination of the matter after Emmanuel Wanjala, a Kenyan citizen moved to court to stop EPRA’s board from deliberating on the former’s reappointment.
In his petition through Lawyer Henry Kurauka, Mr. Wanjala alleged that Dr. Oimeke had presided over massive losses at EPRA through corruption, mismanagement of resources, and lawsuits by the authority’s former employees.
Mr. Wanjala argued that the taxpayer has lost billions of shillings, which cannot be recovered and should his tenure be extended.
“It is imperative that pending the hearing and determination of this application and the petition, the respondents be restrained from deliberating, extending and or renewing the contract of the first respondent,” ruled Justice Hellen Wasilwa.
While announcing the appointment of Ms Mutunga in the interim, the board said the choice was based on her seniority in the service and upon a duly approved succession plan.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Law Degree from The University of Nairobi (UoN). She also holds a Diploma in Legal Practice from The Kenya School of Law. She is also a member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.
Ms. Mutunga began her career at Robson & Co. Advocates and later served as a legal officer at Total Kenya Limited. Prior to joining EPRA, she was the Secretary and Head of Legal Affairs at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
She now relinquishes her post and hands it back to her boss.
