Drama Along Thika-Garissa Rd. As Thika Police Are Nabbed Collecting Bribes From Motorists.

There was drama near Engen Petrol Station on the Thika-Garissa road yesterday when Ethics and Anti-corruption (EACC) officers pounced on Thika traffic police officers who were allegedly collecting bribes from motorists.

In a bid to avoid arrest, four officers took to their heels, even risking being ran over by vehicles on the busy highway.

Only one officer was arrested in the early morning incident. The driver of a lorry from whom the officer is said to have received Sh100 was also arrested.

The two, Constable Jackson Kiptanui and lorry driver Antony Kamau were taken to Thika Police Station where, upon inspection, the EACC officers found Sh13,650 in denominations of Sh50, Sh100, Sh200 on the police officer.

They later appeared before Thika and charged with receiving bribes. Resident Magistrate Teresiah Murungi released them on a cash bail Sh100,000 each.

Motorists plying the Thika super highway and the Thika-Garissa road have been complaining of rampant corruption by the area traffic police officers. They said the speed gun based at the Thika traffic base had been turned into a cash cow by the officers who use it to solicit bribes.

However, Thika Base Commander Amos Ambasa dismissed allegations of corruption among his officers.