Corrupt traffic cops frustrate plans by Sonko to decongest CBD

Nairobi matatu operators are now accusing who they term “a section of corrupt traffic police officers” of frustrating Governor Mike Sonko’s plan to decongest the city’s CBD.

According to a complaint filed before the governor, matatu operators claim that there exists a cartel of traffic police officers, specifically along Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street, who are hindering smooth flow of traffic by demanding a bribe of Ksh500 from each vehicle and allowing double-parking in order to frustrate a successful self-regulation process.

Following a meeting with operators and transport stakeholders on Monday, September 18, Sonko suspended his directive to ban matatus from parking in the Central Business District (CBD) for 30 days to allow matatu operators to self-regulate and ensure smooth flow of traffic.

“Decongesting Nairobi will translate to more revenues for the matatu sector, while ensuring our residents move faster and more freely, to build our economy,” the governor had said during the meeting.
Failure for the matatu operators to self-regulate themselves within this grace period, the CBD ban will then take effect after the 30-day deadline.

They now want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to intervene swiftly and expose this rot and prosecute and charge in court these police officers who the operators say are colluding with county council askaris.