Robert Pavel Oimeke has been replaced as the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority after he was arrested for allegedly demanding a bribe. 

Oimeke has now been interdicted on Energy CS Charles Keter’s recommendation and replaced by Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, who will be the new EPRA Director General in acting capacity.

Bargoria was the Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Energy and State Department for Petroleum and is the chairman of the Government’s First Oil Committee.

EPRA says he has a vast experience in the energy and petroleum sectors with a bias in policy formulation, regulation and project and structured finance and was instrumental in the drafting of the Energy Act 2019 and Petroleum Act 2019.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Law and Policy from the University of Dundee in Scotland. 

Oimeke was arrested on Thursday by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over claims that he received Sh200,000 bribe from the owner of a fuel station in Oyugis, Homa Bay County.

He was, however, released on a police bond as detectives concluded their investigation.