Police have devised a new
way of taking bribes from motorists that shields them from being captured on
the newly installed CCTV cameras in Nairobi City, Nation investigations
show. Nation Media Group
By
Samwel Born MainaMore by this Author
Police have devised a new way of taking bribes from motorists
that shields them from being captured on the newly installed CCTV cameras in
Nairobi City, Nation investigations
show.
The officers are now dragging motorists to an illegal parking
set up just next to Central Police Station from where they extort bribes before
setting the suspects free.
Rather than allowing the suspects to get into the station’s
compound, the officers break the rule and allow them to park at a steep bend of
the University Way-Moi Avenue roundabout.
The vehicles pile up on the busy road all day—exposing speeding
motorists to the risk of causing accidents.
Oil officers hands
Those who end up at the illegal parking, from where they are
hauled before courts if they refuse to oil the officers’ hands, are those who
refuse to bribe their way out before they reach the illegal parking.
Confronted with the facts, Central Police Station chief Patrick
Oduma said it was unfortunate such incidents could take place outside the
station. He said the vehicles are parked outside due to lack of space inside.
“Now that you have told me, I will initiate my own
investigations,” he said, and promised to arrest the rogue officers. He said
the illegal parking, he said, was chosen due to its proximity to the station.
Mr Oduma asked motorists who are asked to bribe the police to be
released to report the matter to his office.
Head of Parking in Nairobi County Tom Tinega accused the police
of turning the road into an impounding yard. “The station has big space. Why do
they use a road? There is no law that allows police to use a road as a parking
space, this must stop,” he said.
Motorists interviewed said they prefer to bribe before reaching
the illegal parking to avoid hefty fines in court. Those who fail to raise the
demanded cash are asked to drive to Central Police Station where they park
vehicles inside before the driver and turnboy are summoned to the court.
But cooperating drivers are instructed to park their vehicles on
University Way, where a lane has been changed into a parking space.
The officers normally take the driving licences of the drivers
until the owner pays the amount asked.
“I came here because I had not raised Sh1,000 at the time of
arrest. So I called the owner and they took my licence until the owner brings
the money,” a driver said.
Wrong side of traffic
“They do not want M-Pesa, they want it in cash. So they are
waiting, they told us to park here,” the driver of one of the buses in the
Double-M fleet added.
According to another driver, who was once caught on the wrong
side of traffic, he had to pay a Sh2,000-bribe to be freed.
“They brought me here. I thought they would book me for
appearance in court, but after I agreed to pay Sh2,000, they left me to go,” he
said.
The presence of Big Brother in town is yet to record cases of
police taking bribes openly.
“They know the CCTV may capture them; that is why they take us
around town and when they are sure they are not seen, negotiations begin. Those
of us who cooperate are released, those who don’t are forced to drive to
Central, where the owner is involved and that means one has to pay at least
Sh2,000 to the officers,” Mr Macharia says.
For years, police have remained the undisputed bribe takers in
surveys conducted by TI-Kenya.
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