Three Webuye traffic police officers arrested for demanding bribes from motorists

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested three traffic police officers attached to Webuye Police Station for allegedly demanding bribes from motorists at a roadblock along the Webuye-Kitale Road.

The three suspects identified as Corporal Kipyego Metto, Police Constable Ben Kiptoo Maswai, and Police Constable Alex Kidui Makee were arrested on Friday after numerous complaints from the public.

According to the commission, members of the public and motorists operating both public service vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles reported rampant extortion by the officers at the road-block.

EACC detectives then mounted a targeted surveillance operation that revealed the officers soliciting and demanding bribes from motorists entering or leaving the border town, without conducting any vehicle checks or enforcing traffic regulations.

Following the arrests, the three were taken to the EACC Western Regional Office in Bungoma for further processing.

EACC says the operation is part of the ongoing crackdown on bribery at public service delivery points to improve access to quality services for all citizens.

It has also expressed commitment to scaling up intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting essential public services and sectors prone to bribery.