We Should Stop Tempting Our Policemen With Bribes, William Ruto

• President William Ruto urged Kenyans to stop offering bribes to police officers, stressing the need for collective action against corruption
• Ruto highlighted the deep-rooted issue of police bribery, calling it a shared responsibility between the public and the government
• The president stressed that tackling corruption requires addressing both police officers who solicit bribes and citizens who offer them
• Ruto called for strict action against corrupt police officers while also urging Kenyans to change their behaviour and reject bribery

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kisumu - President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to play an active role in combating corruption within the National Police Service.

Speaking during a town hall meeting in Kisumu on Thursday, August 29, Ruto stressed the need for a collective effort to deal with the widespread issue of police bribery.

Ruto acknowledged that the issue is a deep-rooted problem in the country, calling out Kenyans who offer money to police officers to avoid legal consequences.

"There is serious impunity, and this is something we must deal with as Kenyans. It is important for us to say that there are people who actually actively induce policemen with money," he stated.

The head of state urged Kenyans to stop the vice of offering bribes to police officers, noting that the responsibility to end corruption lies with both the public and the government.

"I think it is time that, even as Kenyans, we stopped the culture of bribing the policemen because sometimes policemen cannot resist the offers that are being made and advances made on them. We must deal with this corruption thing from all angles," Ruto explained.

How does Ruto hope to deal with corruption?

President Ruto further observed the need for strict action against police officers who solicit or accept bribes.

However, Ruto reiterated that the problem could not be solved solely by targeting the police, as those who offer bribes are equally responsible for encouraging the vice.

"We must make sure we take action on police that ask for the money and Kenyans who give money must also be told they are part of the problem and I don’t know who is going to tell them. We need to tell ourselves as a people to stop that culture," he asserted.

Who bribed former police chief Koome?

In a related event, former inspector general of police Japheth Koome publicly acknowledged widespread corruption within the National Police Service.

He referred to this issue as "returns" and explained that junior officers collect money and deliver it to their superiors.

Koome recounted instances where junior officers attempted to offer him proceeds from corrupt activities, which he refused.

The former IG emphasised the need for the police service to take a stand against corruption, declaring, "enough is enough".

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