The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has finally interdicted its Director-General, Mr. Pavel Oimeke, and appointed Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria as acting Director-General, responding to calls of a section of Kenyans.
The interdiction of Mr. Oimeke comes a few days after he was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for receiving a bribe of 200,000 shillings to allow an illegal petrol station to operate. He has since denied the allegations.
Mr. Oimeke is also being accused of often receiving bribes, sometimes as little as 30,000 shillings to allow illegal businesses to operate. His arrest also confirms allegations that EPRA has been working with illegal fuel suppliers to milk Kenyans dry.
“On Thursday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Mr. Oimeke on allegations of bribery. He was held in custody and later released on police bond, as the Anti-Corruption agency concludes its investigations,” said EPRA in a statement.
EPRA says that they have interdicted Oimeke following the communication from EACC and that the Cabinet Secretary for Energy Mr. Charles Keter recommended the appointment of an Acting Director-General.
“The appointment of Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria as Acting Director-General tajes effect immediately,” said EPRA in a statement to the media.
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kiptoo was the Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Energy and State Department of Petroleum and is the chairman of the Government’s First Oil Committee.
“Mr. Kiptoo has vast experience in the Energy and Petroleum Sectors, with a bias in Policy Formulation, Regulation and Project and Structured Finance,” said the energy regulator.