The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has intensified its fight against graft within the National Police Service (NPS) following the arrest of nine traffic police officers accused of extorting motorists during the festive season. A day after the arrests, EACC uncovered a hideout at Wanguru Police Station where bribe money was being stashed.
One of the “facilities” in the Gathoge area, along the Makutano-Embu Highway, where traffic police officers from Wanguru Police Station in Embu had started storing bribes collected from motorists on 26 December 2024, before EACC arrived.… pic.twitter.com/w9yOLyGLCj
— EACC (@EACCKenya) January 3, 2025
“This was one of the facilities traffic officers from Wanguru Police Station in Embu used to store bribes collected from motorists since December 26, 2024,” read a caption accompanying the video.
Arrests Across Four Counties
On January 2, EACC announced the arrest of nine officers accused of extorting motorists over the Christmas period. The arrests, conducted in Nakuru, Kajiado, Kisii, and Embu counties, were the result of carefully coordinated sting operations.
9 TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS ARRESTED FOR BRIBERY AND EXTORTION DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
— EACC (@EACCKenya) January 3, 2025
Following operations undertaken to combat traffic corruption on major highways in the country during the festive season, EACC arrested 9 traffic police officers caught in a bribe-collection… pic.twitter.com/qnqmBByZ4Q
Among those apprehended were:
- PC Muendi Okech and CPL James Gitonga, arrested along the Nairobi-Namanga Road in Kajiado County.
- CPL Mustafa Babuye and PC Dae Ronald Wakachanga, caught along the Kisii-Rongo Road on Christmas Day.
- Sgt Susan Potishoi, CPL Joshua Kipkurui, PC Duncan Bonn, PC Vincent Otieno, and PC Ruth Ngugi, arrested at Salgaa along the Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on December 30.
The suspects were detained at various police facilities, including Salgaa and Nyamarambe Police Traffic Base, before being released on cash bail pending further investigations.
A Threat to Road Safety
EACC highlighted how corruption undermines traffic law enforcement, enabling violations such as overspeeding, overloading, and driving unroadworthy vehicles. These actions endanger public safety, particularly during the high-traffic festive season.
“The Commission urges all stakeholders, including motorists and law enforcement, to adhere to traffic laws to prioritize road safety and curb accidents,” EACC stated.
This is not the first time traffic police officers have been implicated in corruption. On August 29, 2024, EACC arrested four officers on the Kericho-Sotik Road for collecting bribes from motorists in a similar sting operation.
Also Read: Police Intensifies Road Safety and Security Ahead of Festive Season
EACC remains committed to rooting out graft in law enforcement and has called on the public to report instances of corruption. The latest arrests serve as a reminder that no officer is above the law, and actions compromising public safety will be met with firm legal consequences.
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