Five traffic police officers were arrested on Thursday for allegedly extorting money from motorists at a roadblock along the Kisumu–Busia Highway. The arrest was carried out by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) during a targeted operation aimed at ending bribery and extortion on 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 all attached to Busia Police Station. They were reportedly caught demanding bribes from motorists at a checkpoint about five kilometres from Busia Town.
The arrests followed a series of public complaints about widespread corruption and harassment by traffic officers stationed at the roadblock. Many motorists had alleged that officers frequently demanded cash payments from drivers entering or leaving the border town, often without performing any legitimate vehicle inspections or enforcing traffic laws.
The suspects were taken to the EACC Western Regional Office in Bungoma for questioning before being booked at Bungoma Police Station for further processing.
Why Did EACC Conduct the Operation?
The EACC confirmed that the arrests were part of a broader campaign to curb corruption in public service and improve the quality of service delivery. “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.
The five officers are expected to face disciplinary and legal action once investigations are complete. Their arrest highlights the EACC’s growing efforts to restore accountability and public confidence in law enforcement. The Commission has recently intensified similar operations across the country, targeting police roadblocks, licensing offices, and county revenue collection points, areas often linked to routine bribery and extortion.
The Kisumu–Busia Highway case has renewed national attention on corruption within traffic enforcement, with citizens applauding EACC for acting on their complaints. The arrests signal a strong warning to public officials that misuse of authority for personal gain will not be tolerated.
By Lucky Anyanje