Two traffic cops arrested as EACC probes bribery allegations

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Two traffic police officers will spend Christmas Eve in the cells following their arrest on Wednesday by detectives from the EACC for allegedly demanding bribes from motorists along the Likoni-Lungalunga Road.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said the officers were attached to the Diani Traffic Base.

“The arrest follows an investigation mounted by the EACC after receiving numerous complaints from motorists and members of the public regarding rampant extortion by the officers,” the anti-graft agency said in a statement.

“During the operation, the officers were found soliciting and demanding bribes from motorists, often without conducting any vehicle checks or enforcing traffic regulations,” it added.

The commission said the officers were taken to the EACC Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa for statement recording and further processing.

It added that it is scaling up intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting essential public services and sectors prone to bribery.

The operation is part of the ongoing crackdown on bribery on major roads during the festive season.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the police and the Judiciary have been conducting joint road safety compliance checks along major highways following a spike in vehicular volumes as Kenyans travel upcountry for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

In an update on Wednesday, NTSA said the multi-agency compliance checks flagged 1,702 violations involving commercial, public service and private vehicles.

It said the most rampant violations are absence or malfunctioning speed limiters, drunk driving, unroadworthy vehicles, excess passengers, contravening insurance requirements and operating without Road Service License.

As a result, the commission said police arrested 48 drivers and flagged 418 vehicles as non-compliant within the period under review.

Tragically, NTSA said 16 road accidents were reported across 12 counties on Tuesday, December 23, resulting in the deaths of 25 people. Pedestrians and passengers accounted for the highest fatalities, eight each, followed by motorcyclists (5), pillion passengers (3) and one driver.

NTSA reaffirmed its commitment to keep the roads safer as travel intensifies and the festive season peaks.

“We have deployed all available resources and are currently implementing every necessary measure to safeguard lives on our roads.”

As part of the drive, Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Wednesday undertook a routine road safety assessment along major highways leading to and from Nairobi, including the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, Nairobi-Nanyuki Highway and the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.IG Douglas Kanja interacts with passengers during a routine road safety assessment, December 24, 2025. /NPS

During the exercise, the Inspector General engaged with members of the public, boda boda riders, public service and private transport operators, as well as passengers.

The interactions focused on listening to road users’ concerns, promoting responsible road use and reinforcing the shared responsibility of ensuring safety for all.IG Douglas Kanja interacts with drivers, boda boda riders and passengers during routine road safety assessment, December 24, 2025. /NPS

Kanja emphasised the importance of strict compliance with traffic laws, responsible driving and mutual respect among all road users.

He particularly urged drivers to prioritise the safety of passengers and other road users, and encouraged passengers to speak up and report any forms of recklessness, including speeding or suspicious activities.IG Douglas Kanja interacts with a matatau driver during a routine road safety assessment, December 24, 2025. /NPSIG Douglas Kanja interacts with a truck driver during a routine road safety assessment, December 24, 2025. /NPS

Kanja was accompanied by senior police officers, including NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, Regional Police Commander, Central Region, Jaspher Ombati, and the Commandant of the Traffic Police Unit, Fredrick Ochieng.