Traffic Police Bribe

Corruption in Kenya has been reported before, see: https://afrikamonamour.blogspot.com/2025/12/corruption-in-kenya.html Now Kenyans are speaking out on Facebook about their experiences with corruption, how they deal with it, and their opinions on it. It's appalling that everyone is aware of this problem, yet no one is doing anything about it. This post specifically addresses traffic police corruption

, just to be clear. The situation is the same in Kenya. Here are some testimonials. I was taken to court in Naivasha for speeding. I paid a fine of 15,000. The traffic officer only demanded 1,000, which seemed far too much to me as a bribe. I learned my lesson: Nowadays, he already has the money in my old driver's license booklet before he even says a word. That saves time and money. “Settle the matter quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together, otherwise your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:25–26, NIV) You cannot compare a bribe to a fine. A bribe can be 1,000, but a fine can be 20,000, and both can result in imprisonment. The government should provide the traffic police with a central payment number so that anyone who has committed an offense can pay the fine directly to this number, which is known to all Kenyans nationwide. The same group of Kenyans demands bribes from traffic police officers to let them reach their destination because they are running late. 🤣 Lower fines to curb police bribery. For example, with a fine of 10,000, people could negotiate with the police and pay only 1,000. Digitize payments. Use cameras to film police officers accepting bribes. Complete this sentence with: "If they drag us into court, you will judge justly." One day in class, our teacher asked us, "What is a law?" Many students searched for a suitable answer until finally a boy raised his hand and explained, "The law is a tool by which the rich protect their property while the poor go to jail!" To this day, I wonder if his answer was wrong. We should introduce body cameras for the police to monitor officers and prevent bribery. It's like fetching water in woven baskets and expecting them to fill to the brim. Instead, the justice system should develop better means for swift verdicts and effective punishments without wasting time, reducing psychological pressure, and significantly increasing fines. Instead of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Bribery is a serious and persistent problem in Kenya, affecting various sectors including government, business, and law enforcement. Bribery is often seen as a necessary evil in dealing with public officials, from obtaining permits to navigating bureaucratic processes. Corruption undermines trust in government institutions and hinders effective governance. It can lead to inadequate public services, misallocation of resources, and a decline in foreign investment. Kenya has anti-corruption laws, such as the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act. However, enforcement of these laws is inconsistent, and many cases remain unresolved. Numerous non-governmental organizations and civil society groups in Kenya are engaged in the fight against corruption and for greater transparency. They engage in advocacy, conduct public awareness campaigns, and support whistleblowers. Surveys indicate that corruption is considered one of the country's most pressing problems. Many citizens believe that bribery is widespread, which can create a sense of hopelessness regarding real change. The Kenyan government, together with international partners, has taken measures to combat corruption, including the establishment of institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Some initiatives focus on promoting transparency through technology. In some cases, cultural norms can contribute to the acceptance of bribery, as people see it as a means of expediting processes or gaining advantages. https://prezi.com/p/hkn_h6t1oeao/formation-of-democratic-civil-society-in-uzbekistan-political-reforms