Kenya Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe. Photo/FILE
By FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, August 17 2011 at 22:30
Posted Wednesday, August 17 2011 at 22:30
In Summary
What led to tough action:
- Corruption: Some of the bases were notorious for corruption
- Long service: Others were moved because of overstaying at stations.
- Rebuilding: Move was also meant to rebuild the traffic department and ensure laws a re followed.
Twenty nine traffic bases linked to massive corruption have been abolished and police officers who manned them given other duties.
Other bases have been retained but officers who served there have not been spared either - they too have been given regular duties.
In the changes made by Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere on Wednesday, 590 officers were transferred.
Those affected were junior officers from the rank of police constable to senior sergeant.
The changes come months after yet another shake-up that targeted base commanders.
The move is seen as an effort to clean up the traffic section, deemed the most corrupt of all police units.
Usually, police officers regard traffic duties among the most lucrative in the force, only rivalled by their colleagues seconded to special units in Central Bank, Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Ports Authority.
Motorists, especially matatu drivers and conductors, are their main targets, because they prefer paying bribes rather than be charged in court with multiple traffic offences.
Traffic officers are also stationed at weighbridges, where they also demand money from truck drivers transporting loads exceeding the legal limit.
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said officers inducted into the force recently would take up traffic duties.
“The closed bases were not adding any value to the image of the police,” he said.
Mr Kiraithe added: “Some of the bases were notorious for corruption and also targeted officers who have served for more than five years without being transferred.”
Among the bases closed include Bamburi, Juja, Laare, Timau, Mau Summit, Maai Mahiu, Londiani and Muthangari.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment