Traffic officers are not allowed to be armed - Mbarak

One of the traffic officer who shot at the EACC officers is still at large. [File. Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has said no traffic police officer should be armed following a near-fatal incident.

It has emerged that an armed cop nearly shot at the commission's officers along the Nairobi-Mai Mahiu Highway.

EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Twalib Mbarak on Thursday, November 30, said that some 'rogue' officers have been using their firearms to intimidate motorists while soliciting bribes along major highways.

"I have already spoken to the Inspector General of Police on the same and we are in agreement that no traffic police officer should be armed while manning the roads unless it is extremely necessary," said Mbarak.

According to the Commission's CEO, one of the EACC officers narrowly escaped being shot at by the officers while resisting arrest after they were caught soliciting bribes from motorists along the highway.

"During the incident, one of the suspects opened fire at the EACC officers, but no one was injured in the exchange of gunfire. The three officers were eventually subdued and taken into custody," Mbarak said adding that the officer who fired managed to escape and is still at large.

The arrested officers are expected to be arraigned in court while a manhunt of the officer at large continues.