The National Taskforce on Improvement of the Terms and Conditions of Service and Other Reforms for Members of the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service has recommended the restructuring of the current Traffic Police Unit.
The taskforce, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga, wants the unit transformed into a new Traffic Management Unit that will rely heavily on technology to control traffic and detect road offences.
The recommendations are contained in the report released to the public on Monday.
The taskforce said the Traffic Department of the National Police Service (NPS) featured prominently in discussions held across all 47 counties.
According to the report, members of the public, police officers and other stakeholders raised widespread concerns about corruption at police roadblocks.
The roadblocks were reportedly described as corruption points where motorists are subjected to illegal payments.
“Following this widespread condemnation, the Taskforce recommends the restructuring of the current Traffic Police Unit into a new Traffic Management Unit that is well trained, leaner in numbers, and mainly reliant on technology to control and manage traffic flow in the country,” the report states.
The taskforce proposed the abolition of police roadblocks and their replacement with mobile patrol units.
It also recommended amendments to Section 65 of the National Police Service Act within six months to facilitate the proposed changes.
Under the proposed system, technology would play a central role in detecting traffic offences and managing traffic flow.
The taskforce recommended the introduction of technology-based systems to detect traffic infractions and facilitate the payment of fines without cash.
The move is intended to reduce opportunities for corruption by limiting direct interactions between motorists and traffic officers during enforcement.
The taskforce said the new Traffic Management Unit should be smaller, better trained and equipped with technology to improve efficiency.
The recommendations on traffic policing form part of a wider assessment of corruption within the National Police Service.
The taskforce said corruption remains a major concern within the service despite various policies and strategies introduced to address the problem.
According to the report, submissions from members of the public, stakeholders and police officers indicated that corruption had become deeply embedded in some areas of the NPS.
The taskforce said it received reports of corruption, cronyism, nepotism, favouritism, tribalism and political influence during police recruitment exercises in all 47 counties.
It further reported allegations that police recruitment slots were being sold for as much as Sh600,000.
“Those who enter the NPS through political influence sustain their place in the Service by remaining loyal to those ‘they know’ while those who are picked on merit ‘grease’ their positions by granting favours to police bosses,” the report states.
The taskforce said corruption concerns extended beyond recruitment to other areas of police administration.
Transfers, deployments, promotions and procurement were identified as areas where corruption and favouritism were allegedly taking place.
The report said such practices undermine the morale of police officers and weaken professionalism within the service.
It also raised concerns over conflicts of interest involving some police officers.
According to the taskforce, cases had been reported of traffic officers owning public service vehicles, motor vehicle breakdown businesses, alcohol outlets and gambling establishments.
The taskforce said such business interests could compromise the impartiality and professionalism expected of police officers.
The proposed restructuring of the Traffic Police Unit is therefore aimed at changing how traffic enforcement is conducted across the country.
Instead of relying heavily on fixed roadblocks, the taskforce wants police to use mobile patrol units supported by technology.
The proposed system would also reduce cash handling by making traffic fines cashless.
The taskforce said the reforms would help improve accountability, reduce opportunities for corruption and modernise traffic management.
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