Corrupt traffic officers put on notice as new squad is formed to nub them

Nation, 16/1/2015

Traffic police officers stop vehicles along a highway in Kenya. 

A special team of police officers will hunt and arrest corrupt colleagues in the traffic department.

Acting Inspector-General of Police Samuel Arachi on Thursday said the team would operate across the country.

Those arrested would be fired immediately and prosecuted.

“We must deal with this problem once and for all,” Mr Arachi said.

Police Service Commission chairman Johnston Kavuludi said he would delegate some powers to top commanders to make it difficult for officers sacked appeal the decisions successfully.

GRAFT CHAMPIONS

“Those hiding behind the law are mistaken. We have come up with strategies that empower the Inspector-General, Deputy Inspectors-General, County Commanders and other senior officials to take action. The commission will support them fully,” Mr Kavuludi said.

Normally, dissatisfied officers can appeal against decisions of their seniors to the Commission.

“Champions of corruption are traffic police officers. They stop motorists on flimsy grounds and extort money in broad daylight in the full view of citizens,” Mr Kavuludi said.

The two top police officials spoke at the National Police Service Staff College in Loresho on Thursday.