Motorists Demand Action Against Corrupt Traffic Officers After Deadly Crash
If you frequently travel on Kenyan roads, you’ve probably noticed how traffic police set up checkpoints at various locations. Often, they stop matatus for just a few seconds—long enough for conductors to hand over some money, usually between Ksh50 and Ksh200.
This has become a normal part of road travel and is often done to avoid lengthy confrontations between police officers and public transport vehicles.
However, what was once seen as minor bribery is now growing into something far more serious. The Motorists Association of Kenya has raised the alarm, accusing traffic officers of turning into extortionists.
In a strong statement, the association said that traffic enforcement has become a tool for harassment and intimidation rather than public safety.
The association claims that rogue officers within the National Police Service are abusing their authority under the pretense of enforcing traffic laws.
According to the lobby group, traffic policing in Kenya is no longer about keeping roads safe—it has transformed into a well-organized extortion network. Motorists are no longer being protected; instead, they are being preyed upon by some members of the police force.
“The stories we’ve received are shocking,” the statement read. “In some areas, fake speed limit signs are being installed just to trap and fine unsuspecting drivers.
Matatu operators are being forced to pay regular bribes, known as ‘protection fees,’ or face wrongful arrests and impounding of their vehicles. Officers now hide on feeder roads, not to help motorists but to ambush them like predators.”
One of the most alarming claims is that some senior traffic police officers no longer use official vehicles. Instead, they drive around in expensive personal cars—vehicles that are allegedly paid for and fueled using money collected through bribes and illegal spot fines.
The recent tragic death of Narok Traffic Base Commander Kipchumba Rotich is being pointed to as an example of how things have spiraled out of control. He died in a car crash while speeding in a luxury Toyota Prado during what was reportedly a high-speed chase.
The association says this is evidence of how far traffic enforcement has strayed from its original purpose.
“Traffic policing has turned into something out of an action movie,” the statement said. “It’s no longer about saving lives or ensuring order on the roads. Instead, it’s a dangerous game of power, intimidation, and money.”
Lobby Group’s Demands to the Government
The Motorists Association of Kenya is now urging the government to take immediate action. They are calling for a thorough review of the traffic police department’s operations and an overhaul of its systems.
The group believes that only through major reforms can public trust be restored and road safety truly prioritized.
They warned that if nothing is done, motorists may be forced to seek legal protection to defend themselves from corrupt officers.
Among the group’s urgent demands is an immediate stop to all unauthorized traffic operations that involve unmarked, unregistered, or privately owned vehicles.
They argue that the use of such vehicles only creates fear and confusion. It makes it hard for drivers to tell the difference between genuine police officers and criminals pretending to be law enforcers.
The lobby group is also pushing for a complete audit of how cash bail and fines are collected and handled by the traffic department.
They say there is a lack of transparency and accountability, and this has allowed corruption to thrive for many years.
Additionally, they are proposing the formation of a special investigative task force. This team should be led by independent civilian oversight bodies and prosecutors—not the police—and should have full legal powers to dig deep into what they describe as “extortion cartels” operating within the traffic police service.
The goal is to expose and dismantle corrupt networks without interference from within the police force.
Finally, the motorists’ group is calling for solid protection for whistleblowers within the police who are brave enough to report corrupt practices.
They believe that unless these whistleblowers are protected, any efforts to clean up the system will be useless, as fear and retaliation will continue to silence honest officers.
In conclusion, the Motorists Association of Kenya is demanding swift and bold action to rescue the traffic enforcement system from the grip of corruption. Their message is clear: policing should be about public service—not profit.
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