Residents and motorists in Kitengela, Athi River, and Mlolongo areas of Kenya have raised complaints about rampant corruption and harassment by the Athi River Traffic Base Commander, Madam Agnes, and her officer, Corporal Kipkemoi Amdany.
The Base Commander, who is regarded as highly powerful and feared by junior officers, is believed to have heavy immunity from the current police boss, Njoroge Mbugua, as she was handed over to him by the recently retired Inspector General, Hillary Mutyambai.
Both Agnes and Mutyambai come from the same area and Agnes is considered a well-connected and influential figure.
It is alleged that the Base Commander uses her personal assistant, Corporal Amdany, to solicit bribes after harassing members of the public who fall victim to police dragnets on the road. Motorists particularly decry the actions of the Corporal, who demands bribes from matatus, pickup truck, lorry and saloon car drivers.
On arrival at the Athi River traffic station, drivers are expected to part with between Sh10k-20k as a bribe to secure their release.
The station is always a busy place as roughly 60 vehicles enter and leave on a daily basis, shortly parting with a chunk of money.
Investigations reveal that motorists are never taken to court despite being harassed by the Corporal, as they are threatened with hefty court fines should they step into the strict Mavoko court in Athi River.
The situation is so dire that even lorry drivers have fallen victim to the Corporal, who has arrested the same driver three times in one month and demanded bribes each time.
The residents and motorists are calling for justice and an end to the corruption and harassment they have been subjected to by the two officers.
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