Masengeli warns traffic police against taking bribes

Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli (left) and Director of Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Ibrahim Amin after a meeting with traffic police commandants on the rising road accidents across the country, in Nairobi on September 17, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has fired a warning shot to traffic officers taking bribes on Kenyan roads.

He was speaking Tuesday at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Training Academy in Nairobi after a meeting with Regional Traffic Enforcement Officers from across the country.

The meeting discussed how to address rising road accidents that have seen tens of lives lost leaving families in anguish.

Masengeli said some road users are to blame for the accidents but admitted that some officers have not been playing their role and instead solicit bribes from motorists.

The acting IG said bribery of traffic officers was to blame for the rise in accidents this year.

Masengeli revealed that the National Police Service (NPS) has taken significant measures by ensuring that administrative action is been taken against officers caught taking bribes on the road.

"Also, we will relieve them of their traffic duties and reassign them to other areas as they await the outcome of the administrative processes," he said.

He assured that the NPS was working hard to avert loss of lives through road accidents.

"I would like also to call upon other stakeholders like the National Transport and Safety Authority, matatu saccos, the general public, and the media to assist us in curbing road carnage that has been happening across the country," said Masengeli.

"Not forgetting the county governments to ensure that we have the parking and bus stop areas and stages so that pedestrians may have their way," he added.

He was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat, DCI boss Mohamed Amin, and police spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango.

"We call upon all members of the public to ensure compliance with road safety requirements."