Rights group opposes arming of traffic police

• Proposal made after officer was attacked by a lorry driver he had flagged down on Thika Road over traffic offence

A Kenyan human rights organisation has opposed plans to arm traffic police.

The move can only work in the short term but would later prove counter-productive, said Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) chairperson Florence Jaoko.

The proposal to arm traffic police was announced following an incident on Wednesday last week on Thika Road in which an officer was attacked by a lorry driver he had flagged down over a traffic offence.

At the weekend, Shauri Moyo deputy OCS Kimathi Marete was shot five times in Majengo slums, raising fears that police officers were now targeted by criminals.

“While this (arming of traffic police) may be a short-term solution, we believe this is not a suitable deterrent and may be counter-productive,” Ms Jaoko told a news conference attended by police spokesman Eric Kiraithe at the commission’s offices on Tuesday.

“Armed traffic police officers may not only be distracted from their primary duties but may also be more vulnerable than before,” the chairperson added and called for other solutions, including pairing of officers on duty and quick response of armed back-up police.

Mr Kiraithe said the proposal to arm the traffic police was one of the many options available to the force to assure them of their security while on duty.

The police spokesman concurred with KNCHR that arming the officers would expose them to more danger.

“Arming the police officers is not the only option. Of greater significance to us is that we do not create an impression that we want to fight the public,” said Mr Kiraithe, adding that the force was exploring measures to ensure the officers felt secure.

According to Mr Kiraithe, the officers will only be provided with arms where prevailing circumstances demand.