A collage of the three officers, Inspector of Police (IP) Rachel Wangetha, Corporal Wilberforce Koffi, and Corporal Shadrack Nerima arrested by EACC. PHOTO | COURTESY

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested three traffic police officers attached to Sondu Police Station for allegedly soliciting and receiving bribes from motorists along the busy Kisumu-Kisii Highway.

The officers arrested are Inspector of Police (IP) Rachel Wangetha, Corporal Wilberforce Koffi, and Corporal Shadrack Nerima.

The arrests followed a targeted surveillance operation conducted by EACC investigators after the Commission received multiple complaints from motorists and members of the public regarding persistent extortion by traffic officers operating along the highway.

During the operation, the suspects were found actively soliciting and demanding bribes from road users, often without conducting any vehicle inspections or enforcing traffic regulations.

Upon arrest, the officers were found in possession of cash in various denominations, suspected to be proceeds of corruption.

The suspects were initially processed at the EACC Central Nyanza Regional Office in Kisumu before being escorted to Kisumu Railways and Ports Police Station, where they were booked pending further investigations.

The operation forms part of the Commission's ongoing nationwide crackdown on bribery and corruption on major roads, particularly during the festive season.

EACC continues to scale up intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting essential public services and sectors that are prone to corruption, with a view to promoting integrity and accountability in public service.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to enforcing anti-corruption laws and urges members of the public to report any incidents of corruption through its established reporting channels. By Allan Obiero, Citizen Digital