The National Police Service has banned traffic officers from carrying weapons to work.
This follows a dramatic arrest of traffic officers on Wednesday by EACC detectives, an incident that left one cop firing in the air to block arrest.
Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service has now directed commanders to ensure that traffic officers do not carry weapons to work.
He said the carrying of the firearms to work has led to its misuse.
"It has been noted with great concern that officers actively engaged in traffic duties are armed (carry firearms). This has resulted in misuse of the firearms by the officers," he said.
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"From today November 30, 2023, no officers actively on traffic duties will carry a firearm. Commanders ensure that this directive is complied with promptly."
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested 3 Traffic Police Officers as follows:
The arrested were Cpl James Njeru, Dickson Njagi and James Mwai,
Their arrest followed an operation that was conducted along Naivasha Maimahiu Road Karigita turn-off in Naivasha following reports of traffic police officers collecting bribes from motorists.
The Commission conducted investigations that culminated in the arrest of three police officers, all from Naivasha Police Station.
During the operation, a scuffle ensued when two other police officers resisted arrest and escaped into the nearby bushes aided by one who was firing at EACC detectives who were pursuing them.
During the scuffle and shooting, the 2 fugitive police officers took away some of the money that had been recovered by EACC detectives amounting to about Sh15,000 collected in one hour.
The arrested suspects were escorted to Integrity Centre Police Station where they were processed. They are currently held at Kilimani Police Station.
EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak confirmed the arrest and called upon the Inspector General of Police to disarm all police officers managing traffic considering the risk they continue to pose to EACC Officers when conducting operations in response to the menace of traffic corruption on Kenyan roads.
