Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested three traffic police officers over allegations of soliciting and receiving bribes at a roadblock in Kyumbi area near Machakos Junction on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.
The three corporals; David Gitonga, Herman Echakara, and Lucy Ekwan, are attached to the Kyumbi Traffic Police Base in Machakos County.
According to the commission, one officer evaded the Tuesday arrest, and efforts to trace and apprehend the suspect are still ongoing.
The suspects were escorted to the EACC Lower Eastern Regional Office in Machakos, where they were processed and have since recorded their statements.
While urging the public to report any incidents of bribery or corruption, the anti-graft body reassured its commitment to combating corruption within law enforcement.
“EACC urges members of the public and law enforcement officers to report any incidents of bribery or corruption to the Commission, as part of a collective responsibility to uphold ethical standards and strengthen public trust,” stated EACC Head of Communications Stephen Karuga.
The Commission said the sting was part of its ongoing campaign to curb corruption in public service, particularly within law enforcement agencies that interact frequently with members of the public.
“The operation forms part of the Commission’s sustained efforts to combat corruption within law enforcement and to promote integrity, accountability, and professionalism in public service,” it said.
The EACC noted that traffic corridors remain areas of concern for its investigators due to long-standing allegations of irregular cash collections from motorists, especially on major highways that serve as key economic links.
The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway is among the busiest transport routes in the country, connecting the capital to the Port of Mombasa and supporting both trade and international transit.
In its communication, the Commission emphasised that the fight against graft within enforcement agencies is aimed at not only deterring misconduct but also protecting public confidence in institutions tasked with ensuring road safety and order.
It added that corruption on highways not only undermines the rule of law but can also distort transport costs for businesses and motorists.
The EACC further urged both citizens and public officers to report suspected corruption incidents, noting that tackling bribery requires joint responsibility between oversight institutions, government agencies and the wider public.
It encouraged motorists who ply the country’s transport networks to speak up when they encounter unethical conduct, stating that such reports assist in building credible evidence for investigations.
