Kipchumba Murkomen Says Police Are Victims of Corrupt Kenyans Who Tempt Them with Bribes: "Ni Habit"
- Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen blamed Kenyans for enabling police bribery, saying civilians often initiate it by offering cash without being asked
- Murkomen said traffic corruption has become routine, with motorists preferring to “settle matters” on the spot instead of facing legal consequences in court
- He cited offences like overspeeding and overloading in matatus as common situations where drivers and passengers knowingly break the law, making bribery almost inevitable
- Murkomen urged the public to stop creating such scenarios and choose to follow the law, warning that ending bribery requires society to reject shortcuts
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has accused the public of fuelling police corruption by routinely offering bribes, instead of following the law.
Source: UGC
Speaking on Tuesday evening, August 12, during the close of the Jukwaa La Usalama Rift Valley Chapter, which also marked the 28th security and service delivery tour, Murkomen said Kenyans must take responsibility for their role in normalising bribery.
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He noted that traffic-related corruption has almost become a routine in many parts of the country.
Who did Murkomen blame for police bribery?
The CS painted a picture of where motorists and motorcyclists offer cash to officers at roadblocks without being prompted.
"When it comes to the traffic sector, corruption has almost become a norm in many places. Anyone driving a car or riding a motorcycle often hands something over at a police roadblock without being asked, as if it’s expected," Murkomen said.
The CS argued that the culture of bribery is often initiated by civilians who would rather pay off an officer than face legal consequences.
He insisted that such actions tempt officers, some of whom face financial struggles, into accepting the money.
"I want to stress that police officers don’t bribe themselves. It’s civilians who initiate it. You can’t just blame the government when, for example, you’re caught speeding. Instead of agreeing to go to court, many of us immediately say, “Let’s settle this here.” You’re the one leading the officer into temptation. The officer, who might also be struggling to pay school fees, accepts and asks God for forgiveness. Over time, it becomes a habit," Murkomen explained.
The Interior CS made the remarks as he engaged with the media to highlight the key issues raised during the Rift Valley tour and to outline progress made in strengthening security and service delivery in the region.
Do citizens encourage bribery?
According to him, the issue is not only about corrupt police officers but also about the situations created by members of the public.
He cited common offences, such as overloading in public service vehicles, as scenarios that almost guarantee bribery.
"This problem isn’t only about corrupt police officers, it’s about the circumstances we create. If you board a matatu meant for 14 passengers and insist on squeezing in as the 15th or 16th, you already know you’re breaking the law. So when the driver encounters a police roadblock, a bribe becomes almost inevitable," he said.
Murkomen stressed that such behaviours encourage the cycle of corruption and weaken the integrity of law enforcement.
Source: UGC
He called on Kenyans to end the culture of offering bribes and instead choose to follow the law, even when inconvenienced.
"These are the behaviours fuelling the problem. Change must begin with society itself saying, 'Enough is enough,'" he added.
Who are most corrupt in Kenya?
Murkomen’s comments come against a backdrop of a longstanding public perception that the police force is among the most corrupt institutions in Kenya.
Transparency International Kenya’s 2025 Bribery Index and the EACC’s 2023 National Ethics and Corruption Survey reveal that Kenyan police officers top the list of most corrupt institutions, with bribes reported in nearly 40% of cases and about seven in ten Kenyans encountering corruption when dealing with them.
The Kenya Revenue Authority followed closely, alongside county health departments, NTSA, county commissioners’ offices, and Public Service Commissions, all flagged for extreme graft prevalence.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
