Traffic police officers banned from carrying firearms while on duty
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mirriam Muli cited misuse of firearms by traffic police officers.
Police officers discharging their traffic duties will no longer be allowed to carry firearms.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mirriam Muli announced on Thursday via a memo addressed to all regional police bosses across the country.
More To Read
- Treasury officials ordered to repay Sh39 million fradulently paid in unauthorised allowances
- EACC recovers 4.9 acres of illegally allocated public land in Loresho worth over Sh400m
- EACC loses land case against former cabinet minister Sam Ongeri
- Governor Natembeya snubs Madaraka Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia
- State forms special task force after 787 officers found with fake certificates
- Natembeya to spend night in custody ahead of Tuesday court appearance over Sh1.4bn graft allegations
"It has been noted with great concern that officers actively engaged in traffic duties are armed (carrying firearms). This has resulted in misuse of the firearms by the officers.
"From today, November 30, 2023, no officer actively on Traffic duties will carry a firearm. Commanders ensure that this directive is complied with promptly. Confirm copied and compliance," reads the memo.
She also instructed the commanders to ensure that the directive is enforced promptly.
The directive came hours after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Twalib Mbarak urged Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to disarm all traffic police officers across the country.
Mbarak cited some rogue traffic police officers are using state-issued firearms to confront EACC detectives when they are caught soliciting bribes on roads.
EACC had on Thursday arrested three traffic police officers over bribery along Mai Mahiu road.
Twalib said the EACC officers managed to arrest two officers, who were openly receiving bribes from motorists, but one managed to escape.
One of the officers tried to fire at them obstructing his arrest.
"He was armed and tried to fire at our officers. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but he managed to escape," Twalib said.
"We will charge them for taking bribes, and for that one policeman who shot and disappeared, we would charge him for threatening the life of staff."
Top Stories Today
