Murkomen Goes After Traffic Police Taking Bribes from Motorists Over Salary Issue

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has warned police officers, especially those in the traffic department, against engaging in corruption, saying low salaries are no justification for taking bribes.

Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Bomet County on Friday, August 8, Murkomen said he will go after officers tarnishing the image of the National Police Service (NPS). He stressed that the conduct of a few individuals should not damage the reputation of the entire service.

“Those who applied for this job understood that it comes with its hardships. They accepted the conditions, including deployment to operational areas,” Murkomen stated.

His remarks followed a recent Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report that ranked the police as the most corrupt institution in the country.

CS Murkomen Warns Traffic Police Against Bribes, Says Low Pay No Excuse

Murkomen affirmed that it will not be business as usual, warning that officers implicated in graft will face the full force of the law.

“Little salary is not a licence to engage in corrupt activities like collecting bribes. It’s just the character of the specific officer, and we will not allow those few to damage the image of the service,” he said.

Police officers are perceived as the most corrupt public servants in Kenya, according to the 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Also Read: Murkomen and Duale’s Ministries Ranked Most Corrupt in Kenya

The report, released on August 5, showed that 48.2 per cent of Kenyans identified police officers as the most corrupt among state professionals and agencies, an indictment reinforced by widespread reports of bribery during interactions with law enforcement.

“An analysis of bribe receivers by profession revealed that police officers (29.9 per cent), National Registration Bureau (19.7 per cent), medical officers (9.53 per cent), officials from land registry (7.4 per cent), and immigration officers were the most bribe receivers,” the report revealed.

Interior CS Decries Rise of GBV Cases

The CS also expressed concern over the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the country, despite enhanced security measures.

He described it as unfortunate that incidents of rape and defilement continue to be reported, particularly in the Rift Valley region and areas with tea plantations.

“GBV remains a big challenge, especially in this region. The security teams and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have done a good job to weed out perpetrators, but more needs to be done,” he said.

The CS praised the coordination between the NPS, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Judiciary, noting that stringent bail terms and the seriousness with which sexual offences are handled have led to successful prosecutions in Bomet County.

Also Read: IG Kanja and Murkomen Speak on Proposal to Reduce Female Police Recruits 

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts, pointing out that many GBV cases remain concealed because most perpetrators are family members. Murkomen faulted the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in such cases, saying they hinder justice.

He called on the public to work closely with police officers, chiefs, and assistant chiefs, adding that sensitisation campaigns will remain a top priority in the counties.

Murkomen also issued a warning to cybercriminals, singling out a group known as the ‘Mulot boys’ in Bomet and Narok counties.

“These fraudulent activities have reduced, and those scamming have been apprehended and charged in court. We have made strides from where we were two years ago, and now the public is aware of fraudulent characters out to scam people, especially women,” he warned.

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