Traffic officers on duty will no longer be allowed to carry firearms, in the latest directive to maintain law and order within the police service.
In a notice written by Deputy Inspector General of Police Mirriam Muli to all commandants of traffic police, the order would take effect from the beginning of December 1, 2023.
The Deputy IG was concerned about the recent misuse of firearms by traffic officers with a series of incidents of traffic officers using rifles to engage in misconduct.
"It has been noted with great concern that officers actively engaging in traffic duties are armed. This has resulted in the misuse of firearms by the officers," the notice read in part.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Resila Onyango, police spokesperson, also confirmed that traffic commanders were directed to ensure that their officers comply with the directive.
The new directive comes hours after a traffic officer opened fire at Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives to evade arrest.
EACC claimed that the officer and his colleagues were notorious for extorting bribes from motorists at the Karagita Junction in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
While addressing the media, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak confirmed that none of his officers got injured but pointed out that three traffic officers were arrested in the raid.
He, however, noted that the armed traffic officer managed to escape.
"Our position as EACC, in coordination with the Inspector General, is that traffic police officers should never be armed unless it is extremely necessary," he stated.
Traffic officers operating roadblocks were singled out for engaging in corrupt practices by extorting bribes from motorists. Following the concerns, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki abolished police roadblocks.
Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, in November last year, had lamented the rate of corruption at road checks, saying that it had risen to an alarming ratio.
