This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
September 12, 2019, marked a significant day for the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, as he ordered the removal of unnecessary roadblocks and road checks countrywide. However, Kisumu county has seemingly defied this order, with traffic police officers stationed along over 20 roads, extorting money from motorists.
A security lobby group in Kisumu, Kisumu Security Watch, has petitioned the Inspector General, questioning why the area police are still seen along the roads, despite the order. The group's secretary general, Killion Onyango, lamented that traffic officers are usually stationed after Obambo as you head to Kisumu along Bondo-Kisumu road, while another bunch is to be found near Kisian Primary School along Kisian-Kisumu road.
Onyango further stated that along Kondele-Mamboleo road, there are always traffic officers who are permanently placed there and working in shifts, extorting from motorists who carry goods while entering or leaving the county. He also accused motorcycle riders belonging to the Kenya Police of supplementing their colleagues' extortion activities, demanding hefty bribes ranging between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 from vehicles that defy their orders.
The group is calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Police Service Commission to investigate the area traffic police officers, who have allegedly invested in Kisumu with ill-gotten bribe money from motorists. Onyango also accused the area county police commander, Maweu, of doing nothing and seeming to be being held at ransom by the said officers.
