The growing conversation about corruption within Kenya’s policing system has taken a darker and more troubling turn after a new audit exposed how deeply the problem runs. Instead of showing a few isolated cases or minor misconduct, the audit paints a picture of a system where corruption is not only accepted but enforced from the top.
Senior officers are accused of turning the entire traffic department into a money-making machine, using their authority to force junior officers into collecting daily bribes from motorists and public transport operators.
What should be a service meant to protect the public has, according to the findings, been turned into a well-organized network of intimidation and extortion.
At the centre of the report is a disturbing claim: junior officers are given strict daily targets for bribe collection.
These targets are not suggestions or expectations. They are orders. Officers are expected to get money from public service vehicles and motorcycle taxis every day, or face serious consequences.
These payments have become so normal that some transport operators treat them like mandatory fees. The audit shows that some of the money collected is passed through Saccos, making the bribes appear like regular business contributions instead of illegal extortion.
This has allowed the practice to continue quietly for years. For officers who refuse to take part, the punishment is harsh.
The audit describes how any officer who questions the system or fails to meet the required amount is quickly dealt with. They may be transferred without warning to far-flung hardship areas, where working conditions are extremely tough.
Others may suddenly face disciplinary action based on invented charges. In such an environment, promotions and good postings no longer come from hard work, honesty, or dedication to duty. Instead, they come from loyalty to corrupt seniors and willingness to participate in the illegal scheme.
This has damaged trust within the service and eroded professionalism among officers.
The amount of money being collected is alarming. On Ngong Road alone, matatu operators say they are forced to pay around Sh1,000 every week as a “protection fee”. With about 200 vehicles using the route, police end up collecting around Sh200,000 every week.
This adds up to nearly Sh800,000 a month from only one major road.
The scheme does not stop there. Bar owners have reported that police collect money up to four times a day, turning extortion into a daily routine.
Because of this, many officers no longer focus on enforcing the law. Traffic offenses go unnoticed if the driver pays.
Unroadworthy vehicles stay on the road. Reckless drivers face no consequences. Public safety suffers greatly.
All this is happening while the National Police Service struggles with a shortage of almost 200,000 officers. The remaining officers are overstretched and expected to cover too much ground.
Yet, despite this staffing crisis, corruption and internal power struggles seem to overshadow any attempt to improve the situation. The audit’s release comes at a time when the service is facing intense scrutiny over the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
He died in police custody in July 2025 after being arrested for allegedly defaming a DIG Lagat by linking him to the corruption under investigation. His death raised questions about possible abuse of power and attempts to silence critics. For many Kenyans, it has become a symbol of just how dangerous and unaccountable the system has become.
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