MURKOMEN WARNS POLICE OVER CORRUPTION

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has cautioned police officers, particularly in the traffic department, against corruption, stating that low salaries do not justify bribery. Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Bomet County on Friday, August 8, 2025, Murkomen vowed to crack down on officers tarnishing the National Police Service (NPS) reputation, emphasizing that misconduct by a few should not discredit the entire force.

His remarks follow an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report ranking the police as Kenya’s most corrupt institution, with 48.2% of citizens identifying officers as the leading bribe-takers. Murkomen warned that implicated officers would face legal consequences. “An analysis of bribe receivers by profession revealed that police officers (29.9%), National Registration Bureau (19.7%), medical officers (9.53%), officials from land registry (7.4%), and immigration officers were the most bribe receivers,” the report revealed.

Additionally, Murkomen expressed concern over rising Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, especially in the Rift Valley and tea-growing regions. While applauding security agencies for prosecuting offenders, he criticized the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in GBV cases, urging stronger public cooperation with law enforcement.

The CS praised the coordination between the NPS, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, noting that stringent bail terms and the seriousness with which sexual offences are handled have led to successful prosecutions in Bomet County. He called on the public to work closely with police officers, chiefs, and assistant chiefs, adding that sensitisation campaigns will remain a top propriety in the counties. He also warned cybercriminals, notably the ‘Mulot boys’ in Bomet and Narok, noting progress in arrests and public awareness campaigns against fraud.