Kericho: PSV Matatu Crashes as Police Officer Allegedly Strangles Driver over Bribe Dispute
- A matatu crash on the Litein–Kericho road left several passengers injured under alarming circumstances, prompting public outrage
- Witnesses reported that a traffic officer jumped into the moving vehicle while allegedly attempting to solicit a bribe from the driver
- The Motorist Association of Kenya condemned the incident, as anti-corruption agencies continue probing bribery cases involving traffic police
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
What began as an ordinary Tuesday journey for passengers travelling along the Litein–Kericho route ended in chaos and injury.
Source: UGC
This is after a matatu crashed under what witnesses have described as deeply troubling circumstances.
The accident occurred near Litein town and involved a 14-seater matatu belonging to the Nakuru Line Sacco.
What caused Litein accident?
According to preliminary reports, the events leading up to the crash began when a traffic police officer allegedly leapt into the moving vehicle after the driver failed to stop, reportedly to avoid giving a bribe.
Witnesses said that once the driver realised the officer had boarded, he attempted to evade confrontation by steering the vehicle off the main road.
A physical altercation allegedly followed, with the officer said to have strangled the driver. In the chaos, the driver lost control, and the matatu veered into a tree with force, leaving its front end mangled.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, and several passengers were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Images from the crash site showed the vehicle’s crumpled front, pointing to the intensity of the collision.
What did motorists association say about the incident?
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) condemned the officer’s alleged conduct, describing it as reckless and unacceptable.
“What type of enforcement is this? Reports state that a traffic police officer in Litein jumped into a moving matatu that refused to stop to give handouts as usual, and started strangling the driver. In the process, the vehicle lost control and hit a tree, causing casualties,” the association said in a Facebook post.
Source: Facebook
The incident has reignited concerns over the persistent problem of police officers soliciting bribes from motorists on Kenyan roads.
For years, public service vehicle operators have accused some traffic police officers of demanding cash in exchange for being allowed to operate without harassment.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been investigating multiple cases involving traffic police bribery, with officials saying such practices undermine road safety, public trust, and the rule of law.
How much did Nairobi cop demand from motorist?
In a related development, a traffic police officer from Kilimani Police Station was arrested by EACC detectives after allegedly soliciting a bribe from a motorist.
The officer was said to have been in the process of receiving part of the payment through an M-Pesa till number when the detectives moved in.
Investigations revealed that the officer had allegedly agreed on a KSh 20,000 bribe in exchange for shielding the motorist from legal action over a traffic offence.
She reportedly received KSh 10,000 as a partial payment, with the balance expected later.
The officer was later arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts’ anti-corruption division where she was released on a cash bail of KSh 20,000 as the case proceeded.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
