Sh200,000 bribe was seized from Pavel Oimeke, court told

Pavel Oimeke

Former Epra director-general Pavel Oimeke who is now the MP of Bonchari Constituency.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Anti-corruption officials seized thousands of shillings from Bonchari MP Pavel Oimeke suspected to be a bribe, a Nairobi court heard on Tuesday.

Mike Mbuvi, an officer from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC),  told the court that he seized Sh200,000 from Oimeke on December 12, 2020, which had been handed to him by a petroleum dealer.

Mr Mbuvi said the money was given by Wycliffe Odhiambo whom Oimeke had asked to give a bribe of Sh500,000.

Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko heard that EACC officials laid a trap for the former EPRA boss and arrested him after he received the money. 

Mr Mbuvi said Oimeke was arrested in his office in Upperhill, Nairobi.

Odhiambo had reported to EACC that Oimenke had demanded a bribe for him to authorise the reopening of a Petrol station in Oyugis Homa Bay County.

The EACC officer produced in court the money seized as exhibits in the case.

The court heard that the MP had requested the bribe via a text on Signal message app.

The anti-corruption officers said they had armed the complainant with a recording device to capture their conversation with Oimenke and there was prove that he received the money.

Hearing of the case continues.