Corrupt traffic police officers extort more than Sh 3 billion annually from matatu drivers and touts.
According to Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai, the culture of extortion in the country's roads by rogue officers has become a norm hence hard to eliminate.
“What is happening on our roads is not a case of willing-buyer, willing-seller, but extortion by police officers. It is no longer a bribe,” Kimutai said on Tuesday.
Speaking during the MOA’s third National Delegates Council meeting and expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Kimutai denied that motorists willingly give bribes.
"Our drivers and touts are threatened by the officers and are left with no choice but to part with money," he said.
Kimutai said drivers who do not comply face trumped-up charges forcing them to part with money to avoid being arraigned in court.
He added that many roadblocks on Kenyan roads were not only meaningless and unnecessary.
“Why do we have 10 road blocks from Nairobi to Nakuru yet all they do is target the public service vehicles?” asked Kimutai.
However, NTSA Appeals Board chairman Dick Waweru accused the matatu owners of failing to report the alleged extortion to the right authorities.
“When you complain that police are extorting money and yet you rarely report to authorities, how do you expect us to help you or even apprehend those rogue officers?” he asked.
Matatu operators in most parts of the country have always decried extortion and harassment by traffic police officers occasionally leading to strikes.