Kisii residents was the government to conduct thorough investigations on traffic officers along the Kisii-Nairobi highway if at all it is ready to fight corruption.
Speaking on Monday at Keumbu Division during the burial of a Matatu driver who was allegedly killed in Nairobi by unknown gunmen, speaker after speaker accused the area police officers of taking bribes from Matatu operators as a ‘favour’ for breach of traffic rules.
They said the officers have condoned the unscrupulous activity at the time President Uhuru Kenyatta is fighting corrupt individuals in his government.
“Time has come for Anti-corruption officials and the executive of this nation to act of regional traffic officers. They have even gone to an extent of receiving bribes openly from matatu operators as a favour to condone traffic offences,” said Dominic Michira.
They said the officers should be dismissed from the disciplined forces as a major step of combating the menace that has persisted for many years.
“Since I was born, I have seen traffic officers taking bribes. The government should investigate the affected officers and sack them in a bid to combat the menace,” added Cyrus Ongwae.
But a section of Matatu operators defended themselves from giving the bribes by terming the officers ‘ruthless and arrogant’.
“They are very ruthless and arrogant, even if I am not on the wrong, I have to comply failure to with which, I will face intimidation from them,” said Obed Nyakundi.
Kisii OCPD Simon Kiragu denied knowledge of any officers taking bribes, but warned officers from engaging in such activities.
“I am not aware of any officer taking bribes, but in case they are doing it, they risk being sacked as soon as we find them participating or condoning corruption,” he told this writer on phone.