The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested three traffic police officers accused of soliciting bribes from motorists along the Kisumu–Kisii Highway.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 27, the commission said the arrests followed repeated complaints from members of the public.
“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has today arrested three traffic police officers attached to Sondu Police Station for allegedly soliciting and receiving bribes from motorists along the busy Kisumu–Kisii Highway at Sondu,” the statement read.
EACC identified the officers as Inspector of Police Rachel Wangetha, Corporal Wilberforce Koffi, and Corporal Shadrack Nerima, all attached to Sondu Police Station.
According to the commission, investigators caught the officers in the act during a targeted operation. The officers were allegedly demanding money from motorists without carrying out proper traffic checks.
“During the operation, the suspects were found actively soliciting and demanding bribes from road users, often without conducting any vehicle inspections or enforcing traffic regulations. Upon arrest, the officers were found in possession of cash in various denominations, suspected to be proceeds of corruption,” EACC said.
After their arrest, the officers were processed and placed in custody as investigations continue.
“The suspects were initially processed at the EACC Central Nyanza Regional Office in Kisumu before being escorted to Kisumu Railways and Ports Police Station, where they were booked pending further investigations,” the commission stated.
EACC said the operation is part of its wider effort to combat corruption on major roads, especially during the festive season.
“The operation forms part of the Commission’s ongoing nationwide crackdown on bribery and corruption on major roads, particularly during the festive season. EACC continues to scale up intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting essential public services and sectors that are prone to corruption, with a view to promoting integrity and accountability in public service,” the statement added.
The latest arrests come just days after two other traffic police officers were arrested in Kwale County over similar allegations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 24, EACC said the officers, attached to the Diani Traffic Base, were arrested following numerous complaints from motorists using the Likoni–Lungalunga Road.
The officers were identified as Police Constable Agnes Longoet and Police Constable Alphanus Anayo.
According to EACC, the officers were allegedly demanding bribes from motorists without carrying out legitimate traffic enforcement duties. They were taken to the EACC Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa for further investigations.
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