Don’t arrest us, county reps tell police officers
Traffic police. Members of the Taita Taveta County Assembly want the police to exempt them from traffic-related charges. Sagalla Member of County Assembly (MCA) Clever Kilele said they were being asked to follow tedious traffic rules by the police yet they were important people in the administration of the region. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Sagalla Member of County Assembly (MCA) Clever Kilele said their status as legislators does not warrant them to be charged in court over traffic offences.
- The politician told Taita Taveta police commander Richard Bitonga to instruct officers in the area to accord them the respect they deserve.
- As lawmakers, said the police boss, it is important for the county representatives to lead by example.
Members of the Taita Taveta County Assembly want the police to exempt them from traffic-related charges.
Sagalla Member of County Assembly (MCA) Clever Kilele said their status as legislators does not warrant them to be charged in court over traffic offences.
Speaking at the county assembly Monday, Mr Kilele said they were being asked to follow tedious traffic rules by the police yet they were important people in the administration of the region.
“These people should desist from charging us with offences like speeding and dangerous driving. As leaders, we need to be respected,” he said.
The politician told Taita Taveta police commander Richard Bitonga to instruct officers in the area to accord them the respect they deserve.
“We sometimes drive fast not because we want to cause accidents but to attend to some weighty matters either at the assembly or in our respective wards,” he said.
Mr Kilele spoke after Mr Bitonga was summoned to appear before the committee on environment and natural resources to shed light on insecurity at mining sites in the region.
Mr Bitonga, however, differed with the county representatives when he told them that the law was clear and would deal firmly with anyone who contravened it.
The police boss said as a law enforcer he cannot allow anyone to break the law because of his or her position in society.
“If you drive dangerously and kill innocent people, who will vote for you next time?” he asked.
As lawmakers, said the police boss, it is important for the county representatives to lead by example.
This comes at a time when two Central MPs are facing charges over assault of traffic police officers.
Elsewhere, Nakuru police boss Bernard Kioko has asked the public to report to him any case of bribery involving officers under him.
Mr Kioko criticised the public for promoting corruption by giving police officers bribes to secure their freedom.
“The public has a role to play in fighting corruption among police officers by not bribing them,” Mr Kioko told a congregation at Christ is the Answer Ministry Church in Lanet on Sunday.
More than 200 police officers from Nakuru division attended the service with other worshippers.
