The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission has arrested three traffic police officers attached to Sondu Police Station in a fresh operation targeting alleged bribery on Kenyan roads. The arrests were carried out along the busy Kisumu Kisii Highway following multiple complaints from motorists and members of the public.
In a statement released on Saturday, the commission said the operation followed targeted surveillance conducted after reports of persistent extortion by traffic officers operating in the area. According to the EACC, investigators moved in after gathering intelligence indicating that motorists were being asked to pay bribes while using the highway.
The commission stated that its officers found the suspects actively soliciting and demanding money from road users at the time of arrest. Investigators noted that in several instances, the alleged bribery took place without any vehicle inspections being conducted or traffic regulations being enforced.
During the operation, cash suspected to be proceeds of bribery was recovered from the officers. The EACC said the recovery of the money further strengthened the ongoing investigations into the alleged misconduct.
After their arrest, the three officers were taken to the EACC Central Nyanza Regional Office in Kisumu, where they were processed and statements recorded. They were later booked at the Kisumu Railways and Ports Police Station as investigations continue.
The latest arrests come just days after the commission arrested two other traffic police officers on December 24 along the Likoni Lungalunga Road in the Coast region. In that earlier case, the EACC said it had acted on numerous complaints from motorists who reported widespread extortion by traffic officers operating along the road.
Those officers were taken to the EACC Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa for statement recording and further processing. The commission said both operations were part of a broader effort to curb corruption within traffic enforcement units across the country.
According to the EACC, the ongoing crackdown is being intensified during the festive season, a period when traffic volumes increase significantly on major highways. The commission noted that higher traffic flow often creates opportunities for corrupt practices, prompting increased surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The EACC said it is scaling up operations targeting essential public services and sectors considered vulnerable to corruption. Traffic enforcement, it added, remains a key focus area due to its direct interaction with the public.
Reaffirming its mandate, the commission stressed its commitment to enforcing anti corruption laws and promoting integrity and accountability within the public service. It warned that officers found engaging in corrupt activities would face legal consequences in accordance with the law.
The commission also urged members of the public to continue reporting incidents of corruption through its established reporting channels. It said public cooperation plays a critical role in supporting investigations and strengthening the fight against graft across the country.
