REVEALED: Top bribery spots for Nairobi traffic cops
A commuter has revealed new methods traffic police officers are using when collecting bribes to avoid detection.
In a letter to Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, the citizen says officers have identified spots that are out of range of street surveillance cameras, where they stop vehicles and demand money from motorists.
The Nairobian also gives service numbers of 17 traffic officers he says are notorious bribe takers.
“We would like to bring to your attention the rampant corruption and intimidation by traffic officers within the Central Business District,” the commuter says.
“They take bribes openly as passengers watch. They enter matatus and demand bribes before alighting.”
According to the commuter, the rogue officers have set up bribe-collection centres on several roads including Race Course, River Road, Haile Selassie Avenue, Tom Mboya and Moi Avenue.
‘BRIBE-COLLECTION CENTERS’
Other spots are at OTC matatu terminus, Kamukunji roundabout, Railways terminus, Ronald Ngala Street and Kirinyaga Road.
“We are informed that the police officers have picked on the routes because there are spots that are out of range of CCTV cameras. We are also informed that the officers come from Nairobi Area, Kamukunji, Central and Kilimani stations,” the letter goes on.
It is copied to Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet.
“They have become an embarrassment to the traffic department. Junior and senior officers carry out the exercise with impunity,” the letter further reads.
The petitioner says the cases have been reported to traffic police bosses in Ruaraka and Nairobi Area but no action had been taken.
“We request that you involve Kenyans in the fight so that we tackle these issues. The giver and the taker aspect is brought about in defence of corrupt police officers,” the letter concludes.