• One Traffic policewoman standing at a distance from the action was shot in the thigh. One arrested Traffic officer broke his leg as he tried to flee the EACC officers.
• The Traffic cops will be released on police bond and charged once investigations are completed.
Five Traffic police officers were arrested in a bribery sting operation by EACC detectives on Thursday near Kisumu Airport.
One Traffic policewoman suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh and is in stable condition. Another Traffic officer broke his leg as he tried to flee and fell into a ditch.
The bribery sting operation and ensuing violence occurred a day after a report released by EACC said there is rampant corruption in the National Police Service, which includes the Traffic department.
Traffic police are notorious for demanding bribes from motorists. EACC detectives arrested the five in Mamboleo area a few metres from the airport.
They were following up on complaints by members of the public that Traffic police were demanding and receiving bribes from motorists. Those entering and leaving Kisumu International Airport would be prime targets.
Both police and the EACC officers said they did not fire the shot that hit the policewoman.
A ballistics investigation of confiscated firearms will establish the gun used.
The drama started when Traffic officers defied orders to surrender and resisted. Members of the public fled for safety after shots were fired.
During the confusion, the Traffic policewoman was shot and the officer broke his leg.
In a joint statement, Nyanza regional police boss Vincent Makoha and EACC regional deputy chief Chibole Aura confirmed the five Traffic officers will be charged.
Aura said the commission has been monitoring the activities of the Traffic police for months.
The arrested officers will be released on a police bond as they await arraignment after investigations are complete.
“We cannot complete our investigations within the next 24 hours, hence, we will release them on a police bond with terms that they do visit the EACC's office until they are charged,” Aura said.
Although he confirmed money exchanged hands in the bribery sting, he did not specify how much money the Traffic officers were caught with.
“The amount of money is not determined at this point. Remember, there were also members of the public around and when they were on the run money might have fallen and they [Traffic police] picked it," Aura said.
Makokha said the National Police Service s working in conjunction with the EACC to fight corruption in all the departments including the Police Service.
“As police, we support the fight against corruption and all kinds of vice within the county. We have come together to ensure the officers are processed and arraigned in court," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)