EACC uncovers traffic unit's bribery, demands its dissolution: "Collecting protection fees"

A report from the EACC revealed a systematic extortion operation within the National Police Service, where traffic officers were taking unla...

• A report from the EACC revealed a systematic extortion operation within the National Police Service, where traffic officers were taking unlawful fees.
• Authorities discovered instances of corruption related to hiring, transfers, disciplinary actions, and assignment of duties.
• The panel suggested dissolving the traffic division, rotating personnel, and implementing the NPS Act.
• Police officials welcomed the report, with IG Douglas Kanja stating that officers found responsible will be held accountable under the law.

Didacus Malowa, a reporter for okay1.co.ke, has more than three years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.

A review conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has uncovered deep-seated corruption within the National Police Service.

It positions the police service's traffic department as the core of a structured 'extortion network' that siphons funds from drivers, undermining confidence in the police force.

What did the EACC's audit reveal regarding NPS?

The results indicate a system in which traffic police gather illicit funds from matatu drivers, boda boda operators, and shopkeepers, and then pass the money upward through the hierarchy.

The EACC's assessment looked into activities from February to June 2025, revealing that the traffic department functions using a structure of fixed fees that officers collect from Public Service Vehicles on certain routes.

The head of Preventive Services at the EACC, Vincent Okongo, described a scenario in which PSVs fulfill daily financial targets established by higher-ranking officials.

He mentioned that police also require protection fees from matatu SACCOs and boda boda groups.

At the report's launch at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, Okongo mentioned that operators who decline these requests face false charges or deliberate arrests.

"They subject all PSVs to regular daily blackmail. There were also claims that targets were assigned to these officers by their superiors," he said.

How far-reaching is the NPS corruption system?

The committee determined that these payments move through an organized system, transforming traffic operations into a source of illicit income that influences assignments, staffing, and disciplinary actions.

It also clarifies that the bribery system does not function independently, connecting the vulnerabilities in hiring, transfers, and internal monitoring within the organization.

The EACC Secretary and CEO, Abdi Mohamud, informed the audience that the audit marks a significant shift for the NPS.

He mentioned that the review is intended to enhance law enforcement frameworks and restore public trust.

Mohamud commended the Police Inspector General, Douglas Kanja, and his assistants for welcoming investigators and backing the project.

"This was not an exercise focused on criticism, but rather one aimed at enhancing governance structures and increasing their resistance to corruption risks," stated Mohamud.

The review encompassed various units such as the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs Unit, and police training institutions.

Authorities identified abnormal hiring practices involving external meddling, transfers affected by corruption, and assignment choices aimed at penalizing or marginalizing officers.

"There were numerous problems related to hiring, involvement from higher-ranking police officials, and officers paying to switch assignments. Transfers were also utilized as a form of punishment for certain officers," Okongo stated.

The document highlighted shortcomings in implementing disciplinary processes and weaknesses in upholding the requirements of the National Police Service (NPS) Act.

Additional issues involve uneven management of cash bail, accounts of protection fees taken from local businesses, and substandard circumstances in police holding cells.

Delays in setting up essential supervisory bodies, including a Service Review Board, Complaint Handling Policy, and Fleet Administration Committee, suggest a sluggish pace of reform.

The review also identified poor handling of police equipment and incomplete documentation regarding police property.

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What suggestions did the EACC provide?

To address these issues, EACC suggested dissolving the existing traffic unit and rotating officers who handle traffic responsibilities.

The committee seeks complete implementation of the NPS Act, the creation of a corruption prevention strategy, and the digitization of hiring and bail processes.

It also suggests regular internal reviews and undercover operations, advocating for the use of devices like body cameras to enhance openness and minimize inappropriate encounters between officers and citizens.

The head of the EACC, David Oginde, called on police officials to view the audit as a basis for transforming their organization.

"Let this report not remain unused on the shelves. Let it signify a renewed dedication from leadership, officers, and community members to restore this essential institution," Oginde said.

IG Kanja mentioned that the service will examine the results and establish committees to direct future actions, noting that officials found guilty of unlawful activities will be held accountable by the law.

"We have received the report we had asked EACC to investigate in February. We will establish the required committees, and anyone found responsible will be held accountable by the law," the police chief explained.

The EACC requests the IG to develop an implementation strategy within 30 days, outlining their approach to monitor progress consistently as the reforms are implemented.

Mohamud emphasized that robust frameworks are crucial for ensuring responsibility, contending that the report provides the NPS with a straightforward route to restore public confidence.