Stop harassing wananchi for bribes, Duale tells Garissa cops

Health CS Aden Duale has a word with Garissa health executive Ahmednadhir Omar. looking on is  Garissa  County Police Commander Amos Ambasa.

Health CS Aden Duale has accused police officers in Garissa of harassing residents by demanding for bribes.

Speaking in Garissa during the 8th graduation ceremony of Daarul Aafaaq Islamic Education Centre, Duale said he has been receiving complaints from residents about police officers strategically erecting illegal road blocks in Garissa town and its environs where they collect bribes from both pedestrians and motorists.

CS said it has become increasingly difficult for the residents to go about their businesses for fear of coming across police officers who demand hefty bribes failure to which one is arrested, preferred tramped up charges or taken to the police cells.

Among the reasons for arrest are failure to carry an ID card. Motorists and boda bodas have also not been spared with those without driving license and their vehicles don’t have insurances paying an even high bribe.

Tetu Primary School, County High School, Nasib, Power lighting company Nasib area, Bula sigara and Garissa University were named as the most notorious places that the police camp.

Duale who was accompanied by Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo and county police commander Amos Ambasa instructed the security chiefs to immediately act on the complaints.

“That [collecting bribes] is not the policy of the National Police Service and neither is it the policy of the government of President William Ruto. I have been receiving numerous calls from our mothers and the youth about this bad habit from our security officers.  If you are not satisfied with your salary kindly resign and look for something else to do,” he said.

“But you cannot be part of the security agent and still be the one terrorising and tormenting our innocent citizens who are going about their daily businesses.  The county security team led by the county commissioner and county police commander must swiftly act stop this business,” he added.

Duale said he had already spoken to the IG Douglas Kanji on the same, adding that going forward, the police officers who will be found harassing wananchi by demanding for bribes will face the law.

“Our security agents are doing a good job in protecting our citizens by fighting terror, banditry and criminals across the country.  But there in we have a few rogue ones who must be dealt with because they are the ones soiling the good name of the service,” he said.

Duale also took issue with some residents who willingly part with bribes.

“I want to address our people. Let us kindly stop this deep-rooted culture of bribing our security officers. That even before a police officer greets you, you have already extended your hand in your pocket, and ready to bribe the officer. Surely this is not the Kenya we want,” he said.

Duale’s comments come barely a week after the Garissa County Community Development Watchdog Group led by its chair Hassan Gumo raised similar complaints calling on the top security chiefs in the area to act.