Mr. Joseph C. Otieno, R. Geol, is the Commissioner for Petroleum, responsible for the overall coordination of the Petroleum function. He is focused on the development, exploitation and supply of oil and gas resources for sustainable economic growth. 

He has over 18 years of experience in the Petroleum industry. Prior to his appointment in August 2024, he served as Senior Principal Superintending Geologist in charge of Upstream where he coordinated oil and gas Exploration Programmes. He has served as a member of the First Oil Technical and Commercial Working Committee and led a technical team to review the South Lokichar Field Development Plan. He played a focal role during the implementation of the World Bank funded Kenya Petroleum Technical Assistance Project (KEPTAP).

Mr. Otieno is a member of the National Upstream Petroleum Advisory Committee (NUPAC) and has served as Board Member of the Geologist's Registration Board, Kenya from 2021 to 2024. 

He holds an M.Sc. degree in Petroleum Geoscience from the Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom; B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Geology from the University of Nairobi; Certificate in Petroleum Policy and Resource Management from PETRAD, Norway; Certificate in International Petroleum Business from the Institute of Petroleum Development, USA; Certificate in RAPID Field Development Program, NEXT, United Kingdom among other qualifications. He has also attended Strategic Leadership and Development Programme and Senior Management Course at the Kenya School of Government.

Mr. Otieno is a Registered Geologist with the Geologist’s Registration Board (GRB) and a Professional Member of the Geological Society of Kenya (GSK).