All traffic police officers to be disarmed following an announcement issued by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mirriam Muli.
Muli issued a communique addressed to all regional police bosses across the country on Thursday.
In her statement, she gave an order that Police officers engaged in active traffic duties will no longer be allowed to carry firearms as a result of rising cases of firearms misuse by the officers while in their lines of duty.
“It has been noted with great concern that officers actively engaged in traffic duties are armed. This has resulted in the misuse of firearms by the officers. From today 30th November 2023, no officer actively on traffic duties will carry a firearm… Commanders should ensure that this directive is complied with immediately,” read the communique.
This directive came shortly after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) boss Twalib Mbarak urged Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to disarm all traffic officers following uproar from EACC detectives who accused rogue police men of threatening them with firearms when caught red-handed soliciting for bribes.
A recent incident where the EACC detectives were confronted by the rogue officers was on Thursday when three traffic police officers were dramatically arrested along the Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road for soliciting bribes.
The three officers identified as Corporal James Njeru and Police Constables Dickson Njagi and James Mwai were said to have solicited Ksh. 15,000 from motorists just an hour before their arrest.
The rogue cops fired in the air during the confrontation before they were finally subdued.
The forensic evidence lifted from the scene was recorded as the culprits await court arraignment.
This action has received series of comments from the citizens in X (formerly known as Twitter)
“Someone taking 50 bob is arrested but someone taking 50 billion is free,” George Oduor commented.
“You are kinda right. But fighting corruption should be systematic. Nobody should be spared. Not the 50 billion one, nor the 50 bob one,” another person commented.