Nairobi Traffic Cop Accused Of Collecting Bribes Arrested By Citizens: "Unaibia Watu"

• A traffic officer manning a road in Nairobi was roughed up by an angry matatu crew after his alleged failed attempts to collect bribes
• An undated clip showed the officer being dragged after he allegedly shattered the windshield of a PSV while demanding kickbacks
• They vowed not to let him go until the damage caused to the vehicle was compensated; the drama reportedly ensued in Embakasi

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

A traffic police officer faced the wrath of city residents after he was caught soliciting bribes from matatu operators in Embakasi.

The law enforcer who seemed to be partaking in his routine was caught unawares when he tried to receive petty cash from a vehicle ferrying passengers.

How Nairobi traffic cop found himself in trouble

His goose was cooked after he allegedly shattered the windshield of the vehicle after the driver presumably became reluctant to give out money.

In an undated clip making rounds on social media, an aggrieved crew ganged up against the officer, dragging him to the side as they reprimanded him over his conduct.

He strived to plead his case, but all was in vain as the accusers would not allow him the space to argue for himself.

They vowed not to let him go until he compensated them for the damage caused to the vehicle.

"You are a thief! Why are you stealing from us? Why have you shattered the vehicle shield?" they roughed him up as they called him unprintables.

This would add to the recent instances of the public confronting police officers believed to be corrupt.

How Mombasa man put traffic cop on the spot

Recently, in Mombasa, an elderly man courageously confronted a traffic officer over allegations of soliciting bribes from public service vehicle operators.

He was captured stepping out of a vehicle to approach the officer having had a feeling he was going to ask for a bribe.

The determined civilian pointed at the officer, warning that he would film him if he went on soliciting kickbacks from the matatu crew.

Appearing unfazed, the officer walked past his accuser and proceeded to the other side of the matatu, instructing the driver to move the vehicle.

The civilian called out the officer and his colleagues, accusing them of perpetuating the culture of corruption and inconveniencing the PSV operators who are grappling with exorbitant fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke