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EPRA Boss Pavel Oimeke has was today released on a Ksh. 200,000 Cashbail after appearing in court.
According to our source, Oimeke presented himself at Integrity House at 6 am then appeared before magistrate Douglas Ogoti at 8 30-9.00am where he denied all allegations pertaining to demanding for a bribe to open a petrol station.
Oimeke was arrested on in December when he allegedly received Sh200,000 bribe in a trap set up by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
EACC Spokesman Yassin Amaro had said they acted following a complaint filed by an employee of a filling station who had been asked for the bribe by Oimeke in order to issue him with a letter to re-open business. The fuel station is based in Oyugis.
The fuel station had been closed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for selling fuel meant for export.
“The station was fined Sh309,842.00 by KRA which they later paid and were issued with a clearance letter to be taken to the DG EPRA to enable him to authorize the opening of the station,” EACC said in a statement. Eager to have the business opened, the attendant told EACC he visited EPRA where he met the Director-General who asked for the bribe for the facilitation of the letter.
A judge last year ruled that public servants accused and charged of corruption must step aside pending the conclusion of their trials, serving a precedent in the country, where senior officials are often charged with graft but rarely convicted. It will be interesting to watch the events unfold.