- According to the Taskforce, there were “overwhelming” views and concerns from participants about bribery associated with the traffic police.
- It has recommended that all officers under the current Unit, and those who have previously served should not be redeployed to the new Traffic Control Unit.
Image: FILE
There was no formal submission by the Traffic Police Unit during the public and stakeholder forums conducted across the country by the National Taskforce on police reforms, it has emerged.
A report from the Taskforce reveals that only one traffic police officer participated in one of the county meetings.
“The Taskforce reviewed literature, conducted public hearings, and received memoranda from key stakeholders, including NTSA…the Taskforce, however, notes that there was no submission of views by the Unit,” it reads.
While the committee has not given any explanation as to why the officers gave the hearings a wide berth, it is believed that the perception of the endemic corruption which has dogged the Unit may have contributed.
According to the Taskforce, there were “overwhelming” views and concerns from participants about bribery associated with the traffic police.
Participants are said to have cited harassment of motorists who refuse to “cooperate” with the unit on public roads.
“An example was cited of motorcycle or boda boda operators across the country,” the report states.
It notes that while many of the motorcycles are impounded on legitimate grounds, many more are impounded for failure to pay bribes to traffic officers.
This, it observed, has led to a pileup of many motorcycles in many police stations across the country on trumped-up charges against riders and other motorists.
The National Police Service Anti-Corruption Strategy of 2016 acknowledges the widespread corruption in the Service.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei convened a meeting of police commanders including traffic bosses in Nairobi last September in a bid to find a solution to the runaway graft in the service.
"It is on account of this that the President has directed me to have this meeting with you and have a candid discussion on how to end corruption and clean the service," Koskei said.
The committee chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga was informed during its meetings that competition for bribes on the roads has led to the erection of roadblocks which are always in close proximity to each other.
The roadblocks are manned by the local traffic unit and the station commander, respectively, the report states.
“It was noted that in many cases, the station commander surrenders the official station vehicle, which is usually parked at the roadblock and used to aid in the collection of bribes instead of performing other priority duties,” it adds.
In Busia, for example, the report notes that the Taskforce members observed during the field visits that there was a police roadblock on the road every 10 kilometres.
It is against this backdrop that the former Chief Justice David Maraga-led committee has proposed the disbandment of the Unit and replaced it with a Traffic Control Unit (TCU).
TUC will operate based on an integrated and automated intelligent traffic control system.
It also wants all officers under the current unit and those who have previously served not to be redeployed to the new TUC or any other traffic management duties or functions.