Five police officers arrested for demanding bribes on Kisumu–Busia Highway

The suspects were arrested on Thursday by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) during an operation targeting extortion and bribery along the busy route.

According to the EACC, the officers, Corporal Hezron Aburi, Corporal Mary Nabei, Police Constable James Weru, Police Constable Mwakwekwe Nyoka, and Police Constable Aisha Abdullahi, were attached to Busia Police Station. They were allegedly soliciting bribes from motorists at a checkpoint located about five kilometres from Busia Town.

Their arrest follows numerous complaints from motorists and members of the public about rampant extortion by traffic officers manning the roadblock. The officers are accused of demanding money from drivers entering or leaving the border town, often without conducting vehicle checks or enforcing traffic rules.

The suspects were taken to the EACC Western Regional Office in Bungoma for questioning before being booked at Bungoma Police Station for further processing.

"The operation is part of the ongoing crackdown on bribery at public service delivery points to improve access to quality services for all citizens. The Commission is scaling up intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting essential public services and sectors prone to bribery," said EACC.