By Clinton Ochieng
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director-General Pavel Oimeke has resigned with effect from February 16. He formally submitted his resignation to Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter on February 16.
The battered DG is in court over a corruption case after soliciting 200, 000 Shillings bribe to approve the reopening of a petrol station in Oyugis that had been shut down over tax violations, charges which he has denied.
According to a statement by EACC, a filling station in Oyugis had previously been closed after being fined in a case involving possessing super export petrol. After paying 309,842 Shillings to KRA, and later issuing a clearance letter; the station decided to go through the EPRA DG to get authorization for reopening.
Oimeke has been in office since 2017 with his tenure ending on August 1, 2020. The same month, the High Court blocked the renewal of Oimeka’s tenure a decision that was being considered by the EPRA board and Energy and Petroleum and Mining Ministry.
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Through the court case filed by Emmanuel Wanjala through his lawyer Henry Kariuki, the petitioner mentioned that the regulatory body had been experiencing huge losses due to spillages, corruption, installation of faulty meters and the dismissal of employees who questioned the unlawful activities of the management.
The EPRA Director-General was also accused of misuse of public funds by Mr Wanjala who called upon the EACC to carry out investigations.