This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread, Nairobi police officers have been accused of exploiting the situation to extort money from members of the public.
Since the Ministry of Health made wearing of face masks mandatory in public places, some rogue police officers have been demanding bribes from those found without face masks in order to buy their freedom.
On June 7, 2020, Nairobi News reported on the issue, highlighting the stories of several victims who were forced to pay bribes to the officers.
Mr. Gabriel Kinuthia, one of the victims, narrated how he was walking along Koinange Street when plainclothes police officers stopped him and asked him why he wasn't putting on his face mask properly.
"The three officers, one male and two female, walked with me around town as they asked me to bribe them for me to be released," Mr. Kinuthia said.
Mr. Daniel Motari also shared a similar experience after he was nabbed along Moi Avenue. He said that the officers just spotted him and quickly arrested him.
"I had my mask on, but it had not covered my nose well. That is how the two uniformed officers arrested me," he recalls.
Some of these officers are said to be fond of storming shops and arresting owners who don't have their face masks on.
However, speaking to Nairobi News, Nairobi police boss, Mr. Philip Ndolo, said that action will be taken against all OCPDs who fail to discipline officers found guilty of demanding bribes.
"I will have a word with all the OCPDs to warn their officers against picking bribes. I also want to ask members of the public to follow the law," he said.
