Lorry drivers plying the Molo-Nakuru route have accused local police officers of using the new potato rules to harass them.
The drivers claim that the police officers were extorting heavy bribes from them, in the name of following the law.
“The slightest passing of the recommended 50 kg rule, even if it’s a thread, sees them demanding huge bribes or threaten us with arrest,” said Peter Muchangi, a driver.
He argued that they were often forced to leave their vehicles for hours as they await ‘inspection’.
“We are wasting many days waiting for a small approval which is affecting our mobility,” he added
Another driver, Joseph Karanja said that many drivers have dropped the transporting due to the intimidation.
“Many cannot sustain giving the hefty bribes and they opt to avoid transporting the potatoes” he added
They are now calling on the Anti Corruption Commission to investigate the police using that route.
A policeman from the office, who sought anonymity as he is not allowed to speak to the press, denied the claims.
“We are following the right standards and its unfair for them to accuse us of corruption. We are just following the law. They should come up with concrete evidence instead of intimidating us,” he added