Even the police know how to make some extra cash. Somehow this is not shocking .Police officers in Baringo County had field day ferrying passengers in their official vehicles following the matatu strike that left passengers stranded. Police officers from Marigat were using their police patrol vehicle to carry at least ten passengers from the Marigat bus station to Nakuru town at double the normal fare.
Commuters ordinarily pay Sh200 for the 100-kilometre journey but the officers charged Sh400 in one of the most blatant cases of corruption.
Reporters who followed the Land Cruiser with registration number GKB 689, later informed the Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Francis Munyambu who condemned the officers’ actions.
“Police vehicles are meant for official duties and not for conducting transport business. We are investigating the matter and action will be taken against officers involved,” Munyambu said.
The incident comes even as a section of the public remained skeptical on the ongoing crackdown of vehicles that have not complied with Michuki rules.
Former Presidential candidate Abduba Dida is among those who called on the government to first address corruption in the police service before cracking down on passengers and matatu operators.
“It is a good thing to implement Michuki rules but can we maintain them? To implement something, you use a strategy not an order. The same police officers who are now arresting operators all over the country are the very same underpaid ones who will be taking bribes tomorrow,” Dida said in a statement published on his Twitter account.
Transport Vehicles Association Secretary-General Richard Kanoru announced, just hours after the official start of the crackdown for the enforcement of Michuki rules that the strike was called off.
Mr Kanoru said on Monday that that operations will be smooth on Tuesday. His announcement followed a meeting between matatu operators and officials of the Interior ministry.