Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered police officers to remove all roadblocks by November 1.
Kindiki stated on Thursday, August 24, that the order is consistent with an earlier directive issued by President William Ruto, who stated that the barricades had become conduits for corruption.
The Cabinet Secretary pointed out that the President had expressed concern that many motorists were losing millions as a result of the bribes they were forced to pay at roadblocks.
“The static roadblocks are less effective because people have found ways of circumventing them and evading police officers,” Kindiki stated.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, his ministry was shifting to mobile patrols and the deployment of surveillance technologies to address the country’s security challenges.
However, critical roadblocks in the fight against terrorism will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
He also directed officers on major highways to maintain strict discipline while remaining courteous to motorists.
Kindiki acknowledged motorists’ concerns, including consistent harassment by police officers and the exploitation of roadblocks by law enforcement officers for personal gain.
“There specific roadblocks where we have been told that police officers are treating motorists with a lot of respect. This is a report that we have received from elected leaders,” Kindiki stated.
