Kisumu residents have petitioned Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and cautioned him over alleged escalating graft in the National Police Service (NPS).
In a letter dated Monday, August 9, the residents accused traffic officers of graft and frustrating motorists by erecting illegal roadblocks. The aggrieved residents lamented that they had raised similar concerns previously, but the CS and other political leaders had failed to act.
The concerned citizens claimed that they lose up to Ksh72 million per month through bribes reportedly collected at the roadblocks.
“We are aware of social, economic and political ramifications caused by the conduct of traffic police officers who are collecting revenue on our highways instead of marshalling traffic. We shall not get tired of this matter until our concerns are addressed."
“On the whole, take notice that these dangerous excessive exploitations by these untouchable traffic officers are now under public watch and must stop at all costs,” Audi Ogada, a human rights activist, wrote on behalf of the residents.
Ogada stated that there were 72 roadblocks in between roads leading from Kisumu to Migori, Kisii, Usenge, Busia, Siaya, Kakamega, Eldoret, Awendo, Bondo and Kitale.
He further alleged that all Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs), tuk tuks, boda bodas, trucks and trailers reportedly paid Ksh 200 per day for one trip. This, he claimed, translated to 150 vehicles paying Ksh300,000 for a trip, Ksh2.4 million in a day and Ksh72 million per month.
Ogada further noted that police officers at one roadblock work in tandem with their colleagues on other roadblocks to ensure that vehicles adhere to their demands. Drivers who are non-compliant are reportedly subjected to stringent penalties.
“As a matter of grave concern, it would be quiet in order to deal with the issue of long-serving traffic police officers who take advantage and brag about their protection and direct connections with powerful people within the system,” the activist complained.
The residents demanded that official gazetted roadblocks and stop checks be published and circulated to all stakeholders across the country, all police officers be assigned duties as per the National Police Service Act 2011 Section 54, and that all officers must display their service number for easy identification.
In May 2021, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Edward Mbugua, ordered a crackdown on illegal roadblocks mounted on highways. The DIG warned police against erecting stop checks without official approval.
Sub County and the station commanders were cautioned that they would be held accountable for any unofficial roadblock detected.
“Any approved roadblock must be staffed by a multi-agency team and have an approved purpose — not personal enrichment,” Mbugua directed in a notice.
