The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is conducting random spot checks across roads and highways countrywide.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 23, the agency indicated that it had launched the crackdown after receiving an influx of motorists flouting traffic rules.
In the first spot checks, the crackdown, which targets both motorists and traffic police officers, nabbed a number of culprits caught offering or receiving bribes.
Among them were police officers who were arrested while enforcing rules along Embu- Meru Highway near Kangaru Girls High School.
The officers, who were eventually arrested, first vanished leaving their Government-issued vehicle on the highway.
EACC reiterated that as much as Kenyans blame members of law enforcement for seeking bribes, some of the road users readily offer bribes once they notice that they had broken the law.
“Following reports of bribery on major roads, EACC undertook random spot checks and noted that besides the culpability attributable to traffic police officers, there are many road users deliberately flouting traffic regulations and then proceeding to offer bribes to the police.
“Road users are reminded that it is a criminal offence to offer or give a bribe to a public officer. As part of mitigating challenges on our roads, citizens should embrace the culture of obedience to the law, including full compliance with traffic requirements,” read the statement in part.
Bribery has been a thorny issue across the country cutting through several sectors of the economy from transport to government as well as private entities.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has previously confirmed that Kenya loses Ksh2 billion every day through corruption, of which bribery is an active player.
A recent report by Reuters estimated that the country loses a third of its annual budget to corruption dealings through corruption.
Kenyans caught engaging in bribery can be jailed for up to 10 years in prison or compelled to pay up to a Ksh5 million fine.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
