Besieged Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) director-general Pavel Oimeke has resigned and declared his interest in the Bonchari parliamentary seat in Kisii County. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Oimeke said revealed that he had officially written to his appointing authority, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, on February 6 on the move. 

“I Pavel Robert Oimeke, would like to announce my resignation from the position of director-general at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority,” Oimeke wrote. 

This comes three months after he was arrested for reportedly receiving a Sh200,000 bribe to endorse the re-opening of a fuel station in Oyugis that was closed over tax violations.  

But the beleaguered EPRA boss denied the bribery allegations amid calls for him to step aside to allow for investigations by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). 

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Before the bribery scandal, the EPRA board had in August ordered him to step aside following his re-appointment for a fresh three-year term was challenged in court. 

Labour Court’s Justice Hellen Wasilwa suspended Oimeke’s contract renewal after a petitioner demanded his rehiring be subjected to competitive and procedural requirements.

He was first appointed the energy regulator’s boss on August 1, 2017 for a three-year term but the extension of his contract was contested over abuse of office and graft allegations.

The Bonchari Constituency parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of area MP Oroo Oyioka at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu due to stroke on February 15.

However, Oimeke is yet to disclose which party he intends to use to seek the elective seat.