Stephen Musungu
In a major anti-corruption operation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), three traffic police officers were arrested along the Kisumu–Kisii highway, revealing a large-scale roadside bribery that was mainly directed at motorists.
The arrests were the result of monitoring that was guided by intelligence and, in particular, complaints from drivers who claimed they were forced to pay to avoid being charged with non-existing traffic offenses. The Kisumu–Kisii route, which is the main link connecting the key towns and business centers of western Kenya, was reported to be a police checkpoint where corrupt practices were common.
According to EACC sources, the operation was meticulously timed for weeks to trap the officers in their misconduct. According to the officers who made the arrest, they obtained funds that were likely gathered from the drivers, and they possessed documentation that indicated that extortion had been organized.
An officer from the EACC stated, “This capture marks the beginning of a battle that will take down numerous traffic bribery agents, and we will demonstrate to them that we have unbelievable power,” referring to the overall anti-corruption campaign.
Not only did law-abiding motorists feel relieved by the arrests, but they also pointed out that bribery had been a daily burden on them.
Long-distance drivers claimed that they often quietly parted with money to avoid intimidation, with some passengers unwittingly bearing the cost through inflated fares. “It’s unbelievable that those whose job was to impose the law were, in fact, taking advantage of the population for themselves,” was the comment made by one motorist.
The police have already announced plans to charge the officers with corruption and abuse of office, which might lead to their imprisonment, payment of fines, or dismissal from the police force. Besides, the investigators are not only looking into the possibility that the officers were part of a bigger network, but also the extent of the problem along Kenya’s highways is enormous.
The National Police Service has once again affirmed its readiness to carry out anti-corruption operations and warned that such corrupt practices among the officers will result in stringent disciplinary measures.
Civil society and transport advocacy groups were happy with the arrests and considered them a right move, but they pointed out that for the change to be sustainable, the reform should be on a much higher level, with things like better oversight, digital fine systems, and fewer cash transactions at checkpoints being included in the process.
The Kisumu-Kisii arrests highlight that the problem of roadside corruption entails both human and economic costs. While the amount involved in the bribes may be small and the incidents may seem to be scattered and isolated, they still gradually ruin public trust, create dangerous roads, and add up to the long list of unfair charges that the already overburdened commuters have to pay.
The EACC has asked the public to keep on reporting such practices, as their investigations are still ongoing, thus indicating that there are likely to be more arrests in the near future.
Wamuzi News Ke
