Boinnet orders officers attached to VIPs to obey traffic rules

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet on Friday ordered all police officers attached to VIPs to adhere to traffic rules.

This is after a vehicle belonging to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) hit a motorist while driving on the wrong side.

As a result, Boinnet stated that all officers must follow the law and avoid endangering the lives of other motorists and pedestrians.

“All officers on VIP security duties have therefore been instructed to stop this behavior forthwith; must therefore follow the highway code and obey the traffic law just like other Motorists.

“This unacceptable behavior has not only caused anger and concern on the part of the motoring public but has also resulted to untold suffering and inconveniences,” he said.

The IG further added: “Some of these officers have in the past been engaging in reckless behavior & have been harassing other Motorists in the name of allowing their VIPs quick passage.

“Whereas we have not established the identity of the individuals in the case above (involving the ODPP car), irresponsible conduct by officers on VIP security duties while on public roads has been brought to the attention of the Inspector General of Police.”

For a while now, road users in Kenya have been complaining of harassment by high ranking government officials on the road especially during rush hour.

Their vehicles are mostly driven on the wrong side, endangering the lives of other motorists and pedestrians.