The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission has arrested a Kakamega-based traffic officer who allegedly demanded forgiveness fees to release a detained PSV vehicle.
The commission said the officer impounded and detained a matatu belonging to the complainant for allegedly picking passengers from an undesignated area.
"The officer subsequently demanded that the complainant pay him a 'forgiveness fee' in order to forgive him for the alleged traffic offence and release the detailed vehicle."
The vehicle had been detained at Kakamega Central police station.
The cop was arrested following a complaint raised by the PSV owner.
The suspect was processed at EACC Bungoma Regional Office and later in the evening booked at Bungoma Police Station pending further action.
Further, EACC said that the suspected police is a notorious traffic police rider, who has developed a specialisation in impounding and detaining public service vehicles in police stations.
The commission added that the arrested officer had not booked alleged offenders, and then he demanded money from the matatu operators in order to release the vehicles.
Prior to his arrest, the Commission had received numerous complaints against him from matatu operators.
"The Commission is working with the Office of the Inspector General and other government offices towards ensuring seamless and accountable enforcement of traffic laws devoid of corruption," EACC said.
