EPRA boss Pavel Oimeke arrested for allegedly receiving a Ksh200,000 bribe

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director-General Pavel Oimeke has been arrested for allegedly receiving a Ksh200,000 bribe.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission head of communications Mr Philip Kagucia says Mr Oimeke is being held at the basement cells of Integrity Centre, Nairobi, pending interrogation and arraignment in court.

Mr Oimeke allegedly received the bribe from an employee of a petrol station in Oyugis, Homa Bay County. Reports indicate that the employee-whose name has not been revealed- had sought Mr Oimeke's intervention in the re-opening of the petrol station, which had been shut down for being in possession of super export petrol.

Kenya Revenue Authority fined the petrol station Ksh309,842. The station subsequently paid and was issued with a clearance letter. It is alleged that Mr Oimeke demanded and received Ksh200,000 for a go-ahead in re-opening of the petrol station.

"Today however, a team of investigators accompanied the complainant to EPRA headquarters with the treated Ksh200,000 that was demanded," said the police report.

When the petrol station employee received the approval letter to reopen the facility, EACC detectives moved in and seized Mr Oimeke.

Mr Oimeke has held the position of Director General since August, 2017. His term was renewed last October.