The National Assembly Administration and Security Committee is currently reviewing the Bribery Amendment Bill, which aims to address bribery among traffic police officers by implementing new measures.
The Bill, sponsored by Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo, proposes the installation of CCTV cameras at all traffic police stations to monitor the behavior of officers and create a visual record of interactions with the public.
Additionally, the Bill also seeks to commission police uniforms without pockets to discourage officers from accepting bribes.
It proposes the establishment of eight multi-agency command centers where CCTV footage from designated areas will be stored and monitored by officers nominated by the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
Details of the Amendment Bill
The Bribery Act, 2016, provides a framework for preventing, investigating, and punishing bribery.
The new Bill further aims to amend this Act by inserting a new section 10 (A) that highlights anti-bribery measures for the National Police Service.
These measures include coordination of CCTV cameras in all areas where traffic police are situated, taking action against an officer accepting a bribe in the designated area, commissioning police uniforms that have no pockets, and ensuring the CCTV cameras at designated traffic areas are maintained.
Also Read: Push to Ban Police from Entering Vehicles, Wear Socks, Pocketless Uniforms
The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has estimated that it will cost approximately Ksh 8 billion to install CCTV cameras in all designated traffic management areas across the country.
This estimate was presented during a recent two-day retreat held by the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) to evaluate legislative proposals with significant fiscal implications for the economy.
The BAC, chaired by Ndindi Nyoro, unanimously endorsed the Bribery (Amendment) Bill, 2023, along with several other bills, to advance to the House for debate.
Surge in Bribery Cases in the Country
Furthermore, this development comes at a time when there’s a surge in bribery cases among police officers, particularly in the traffic department.
A recent case involves a Nairobi traffic police officer who was recently suspended from the National Police Service (NPS) after being caught on camera soliciting bribes from motorists in Umoja.
Also Read: National Police Takes Action on Nairobi Cop Filmed Collecting Bribes
The officer, identified as Police Constable Haron Mwangi of Buruburu Police Station, was filmed collecting bribes from six matatus while directing traffic at B Centre area in Umoja.
“The Officer, No. 63151 PC Haron Mwangi, attached to Traffic within Buruburu Police Station has been suspended from Traffic Police Unit with immediate effect, and proceedings for his dismissal are ongoing,” NPS stated.
A concerned citizen recorded the interactions, which have since gone viral on social media with many expressing their disapproval.
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