The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has intensified its war on graft after arresting two traffic police officers in separate operations carried out in Mombasa and Murang’a counties.
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On Tuesday, December 30, the commission confirmed that the arrests followed numerous public complaints accusing traffic officers of openly demanding bribes from motorists, especially during the busy festive season.
One of the officers, who was stationed at the Murang’a traffic base, was apprehended along the busy Kenol–Murang’a Road.
According to EACC officers, the suspect was found with Ksh6,450 in cash, mostly in Ksh50, Ksh100, and Ksh200 notes. Investigators believe the money had been collected from motorists within a span of just two hours.
After his arrest, the officer was escorted to the EACC Central Regional Offices, where he was processed before being booked at Nyeri Police Station. He was later released on cash bail as investigations continue.
In a related operation at the Coast, EACC officers arrested another traffic officer along the Mtwapa–Malindi Road.
The suspect was found in possession of Ksh13,750 in Ksh100 notes, which investigators suspect to be proceeds of corruption collected from road users.
“Upon arrest, Ksh13,750 in various denominations was recovered from the suspect,” the commission said, adding that the officer was taken to the EACC Upper Coast Regional Office in Malindi for statement recording and further processing.
However, not all operations went smoothly. During the same crackdown, EACC officers also attempted to arrest another traffic officer along the Kerugoya–Kutus Road.
The suspect reportedly fled into nearby bushes when he realized he was being cornered, abandoning his official police uniform at the scene. Efforts to trace and arrest him are ongoing.
The commission reiterated that it will not relent in its fight against corruption within the security sector, noting that cases of bribery often spike during holiday periods.
“EACC continues to scale up intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting essential public services and sectors prone to corruption, with a view to promoting integrity, accountability, and professionalism in public service,” the commission stated.
The latest arrests come just days after EACC apprehended three more traffic officers, including a police inspector, along the Kisumu–Kisii Road near Sondu.
According to the commission, the officers were caught demanding and receiving bribes from motorists without conducting any inspections or enforcing traffic laws.
Investigators said cash in different denominations was recovered from the suspects, believed to be money obtained illegally.
By Kenyans