EACC Officials Arrest 4 Traffic Officers For Collecting Bribes From Motorists

• EACC said they had been observing the four officers allegedly collect bribes without doing anything towards law enforcement
• The arrested included Cpl. Rachael Aiyabei, PC John Oluoch, Cpl. Cynthia Kemoi, and PC Philip Sitienei
• The commission has warned members of the public and motorists to desist bribery stating that it contributes to the increasing road crashes in the country

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has apprehended four traffic police officers who were caught allegedly extorting money from motorists under the pretence of enforcing traffic laws.

EACC said they had been monitoring the officers for several days and found that they were soliciting bribes without performing traffic law enforcement duties.

"Prior to the arrests on Tuesday, EACC had observed the officers for several days collecting bribes without doing anything at all towards traffic law enforcement," EACC said in a statement.

Who are the arrested traffic police officers?

The arrested officers include Cpl. Rachael Aiyabei and PC John Oluoch, who were nabbed along the Sotik-Kericho Road, as well as Cpl. Cynthia Kemoi and PC Philip Sitienei, arrested on the Kericho-Nakuru Road near Kaisugu Tea Factory.

Following their arrests on Tuesday, August 27, the officers were taken to the EACC South Rift Regional Offices in Nakuru for processing and have since been released on bail while the investigation continues.

EACC warns against bribery

The commission has cautioned motorists against paying bribes, highlighting that such practices contribute to a disregard for traffic regulations and are a significant factor in road accidents across the country.

"The Commission reminds members of the public that while the majority view bribery as petty corruption, its implications are gross as it compromises road safety to the extent of claiming lives. Non-compliance with the established road safety regulations on account of payment of bribes is a notable cause of the road accidents witnessed on Kenyan roads," EACC added.

KDF officer shot after violently attacking police officers

In other news, police officers from Kware station arrested three Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldiers during their patrol.

On their way to the station, the soldiers reportedly attacked the officers, injuring one and attempting to strangle her.

As a result, one of the KDF officers also sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to Mama Lucy Hospital, while the other two soldiers were detained.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke