10 officers seized in bribery probe

The day started normally for 10 traffic police officers as they reported at different road checkpoints in Nakuru on Thursday.

However, all hell was about to break loose.

During the night, anti-corruption detectives had planted cameras which would capture the police officers’ every move.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission spokesman Yasin Amaro said the agency had received numerous complaints by motorists and transport crews that local traffic officers had made business impossible by regularly demanding bribes.

One hour was all the anti-corruption officers needed.

They pounced and arrested the officers. “We found bribes they had collected in denominations of between Sh50 and Sh1,000,” said Mr Amaro.

The arrested officers were found with a total of Sh20,000.

“It is surprising that they had collected so much money within such a short time, yet we do not know how much those who escaped had,” said Mr Amaro.

Those who were seized at Eveready, Kiti and Shiners checkpoints in the 8.30am raid included an officer of the rank of inspector of police.

Two others fled.

“It is unfortunate that an inspector of police, who is expected to be a role model for junior officers is, instead, leading collection of bribes,” lamented Mr Amaro.

“The officers are illegally making millions of shillings, at the same time making the roads unmanageable and dangerous,” observed the ethics commission spokesman.

A motorist who was found giving a bribe was also arrested. They were held at Railways Police Station in Nakuru.

JEERED SUSPECTS

There was tension as matatu crews jammed the police station, jeering at the suspects and cheering the detectives for a job well done.

Mr Amaro lamented that the commission conducted similar swoops in Thika and Limuru, but the officers were not charged.

“They were simply transferred. However, this time, the commission will follow up the matter to ensure these officers are charged in court,” he said.

“Officers would better style up because we will continue to conduct similar swoops across the country to ensure all errant officers are prosecuted.”

Matatu crews claimed there were groups collecting what they called protection fees, which they share with traffic officers to ensure faulty vehicles are not impounded.

DEMANDING MONEY

Elsewhere, traffic officers have accused their bosses of demanding money from them every time they turn up for work.

The officers on the Embu-Nairobi highway alleged that their bosses asked for up to Sh5,000 each day.

The junior officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said senior officers also demand money from them every time they conduct patrols.

They claimed that bodabodas within town are asked for a weekly collection of between Sh100 and Sh200, while taxi and matatu crews were parting with Sh300 each.

Embu county Police Commander Willys Okello said he would investigate the allegations.