BY SAM ALFAN.
Former Bonchari Member of Parliament Robert Oimeke has been jailed for three years over bribery, slamming brakes plans of serving in public office.
The former MP, who joined politics after being removed as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) boss, was given an option of paying a fine of Sh1 million after he was found guilty of receiving a bribe of Sh200,000.
The money was to facilitate the reopening of a petrol station that had been closed by EPRA.
Trail Magistrate Peter Ooko said that the prosecution had proved the charge of receiving a bribe beyond any reasonable doubt.
The court found, however, acquitted Oimeke on the charge of soliciting for a bribe.
The prosecution called a total of 13 witnesses who testified in the trial.
Oimeke was bribed using treated money after the complainant Wycliffe Oyoo tipped officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The authority had closed down the filling station in Nyanza.
The charges stated that the former EPRA boss asked for a bribe of Sh500, 000 bribe from Oyoo.
He allegedly sent a message through WhatsApp for purposes of authorising the re-opening of Nyang’inja Filling station in Oyugis area, Homa Bay County.
The prosecution told the court that on December 10, Oimeke received a bribe of Sh100,000 from Oyoo so that he could authorize the unsealing and opening of the said petrol station.
Testifying in the case, Oyoo said he negotiated with then EPRA Director General to reduce the amount to Sh200,000.
He then reported the matter to the EACC and was given treated money which he took to the legislator.
The businessman then handed the money to Oimeke before EACC officials pounced on him.
