Bribe-taking police officers driving matatus out of the road

By Standard Team

Nakuru, Kenya: Public transport operators in Nakuru have raised concerns over constant harassment by traffic police officers demanding bribes.

According to matatu operators, the officers no longer inspect vehicles as required by the law but demand bribes and allow unregistered transporters to operate freely.

Investigations by The Standard found out that traffic police officers stationed at Olive-in, Mogotio/Eldama Ravine junction, Kamelilo, Nakuru-Njoro Road next to Rift Valley Institute of Technology, Kiti area along Nakuru-Nyahururu Road and Free Area along Nakuru-Nairobi Highway spend the day picking bribes from motorists.

Some of the officers have thrown caution to the wind as they pick bribes openly. Unlike before when collected loot was stored inside vehicles, the traffic police officers stash the money under grass, stones or tree holes.

To ensure the safety of the ill-gotten money, one of them has to keep moving around the spot to prevent locals or passersby from discovering the hidden loot.

At Gioto dumpsite near Olive In, we witnessed a police officer collecting bribes while his colleagues watching over for any danger. The officer did not notice our team, which had parked at a safe distance monitoring his activities.

When their shifts ends, the officers pick their loot hidden under a stone and get into their official vehicle and drive off.

Motorists are also accusing senior officers from traffic department for allegedly turning a blind eye on the vice by failing to act when complaints are made.

“We have reported to the police boss in Nakuru about his bribe-taking officers at Gioto? We refer to the notorious one as FM,” said a matatu driver.

End corruption

Matatu operators complained police officers, who are tasked with discharging their duties harass them by demanding bribes using excessive force.

“Police officers towed my matatu even after cooperating with them and they threatened to press more charges if I did not bribe them with Sh 2,000,” complained William Rono, a matatu driver.

Traffic police ambush matatu operators mostly at a section where roads are curved or corners to prevent drivers from speeding away or noticing them in advance.

Matatu operators said they want the Government to intervene and end corruption, which is rampant among traffic police officers in the county.

Nakuru Traffic Police Commandant Richard Leparuya acknowledged existence of corrupt tendencies among traffic police officers, who are reportedly demanding bribes to allow vehicles to pass through roadblocks.

He, however, warned that those caught demanding bribes or engaging in corrupt activities will be prosecuted.

Representatives from  main public transport associations plying Nakuru-Eldama Ravine, Nakuru-Kabarnet, Nakuru-Eldoret and Nakuru-Njoro highways  said they were no longer making profits because of continues harassment by police.

They appealed to police to stop unregistered vehciles from providing public transport. “What is surprising is that unregistered vehicles are allowed to operate freely while police target registered PSV operators,” complained one of the drivers.

Four trips

They said despite making little money, traffic police officers were no longer accepting bribes of less than Sh50. At times they are demanding as high as Sh200 bribe from each vehicle per trip made.

According to John Kiharu, whose vehicle plies Nakuru- Eldama Ravine route, a single matatu makes about four trips each day meaning a lucky police officer will go home with between Sh400 and Sh800 a day.

The route has more than 40 registered vehicles and dozen others unregistered. “At the end of the day, what we make is little. Yet police demand a lot of money at roadblocks whether or not we have all the required papers,” said one of the drivers plying Nakuru- Kabarnet Road.

“The harassment we are getting should first be directed at unregistered operators. You would find that it is not that we do not abide by laws but the playing field is not levelled,” said Stephen Sangoo another driver.