Two Public Service Vehicle drivers, Mr. Hudson Njoroge of City Shuttle and Mr. Daniel Ouma of Oma Services Limited, were arrested along Jogoo Road by traffic police from Makongeni Police Station for the minor offenses of obstruction and picking passengers on the road.
These charges, while minor under the law, have led to serious allegations of corruption and malpractice at Makadara Law Courts and Makongeni Police Station.
The two drivers were arraigned in court number 8 on 6th January 2025. Surprisingly, instead of being granted cash bail, they were asked to produce a bond and surety worth Ksh 50,000.
Unlike cash bail, a bond requires significant collateral, such as a car logbook or title deed, which must be authenticated by the court before the accused can be released.
The drivers, unable to meet these conditions, were remanded at Industrial Area Prison.
Oma Services Limited, the employer of one of the drivers, wrote to the court requesting cash bail for their driver.
However, on 6th January, the court denied this request, leaving the driver in custody and setting a mention date for 15th January 2025.
Under the Traffic (Minor Offenses) Rules, obstruction carries a maximum penalty of Ksh 10,000, while picking passengers on the road is punishable by a fine of Ksh 3,000.
The bond terms imposed in this case are grossly excessive and punitive, raising concerns about the fairness of the judicial process.
Such harsh conditions appear to go beyond the spirit of the law, sparking outrage among Matatu operators along Jogoo Road.
These operators allege that a corruption network involving the magistrate in court 8, a court clerk named Amin, and Madam Naomi, the officer in charge of traffic cases registration, is behind the unfair treatment of the drivers.
Madam Naomi, who has reportedly overstayed her tenure at Makongeni Police Station, is described as a powerful figure who operates with impunity.
They claim that she, together with Amin and the magistrate, has turned the judicial system into a cash cow, victimizing those unwilling to pay bribes.
The allegations deepened on 7th January when Hudson Njoroge, the City Shuttle driver, reportedly paid a bribe of Ksh 25,000 and Ksh 5,000 in cash bail to secure his release.
This money was allegedly handed over to Amin, the court clerk.
Following this transaction, Njoroge was released and is now at home, while his counterpart, Daniel Ouma, remains in custody due to his employer’s refusal to comply with the corrupt demands.
This case highlights a systemic failure in both the judicial and law enforcement systems.
The situation exposes how corruption has infiltrated processes meant to uphold justice, punishing those who refuse to participate in these unethical practices.
The Jogoo Road Matatu operators are calling for immediate investigations into the roles of Madam Naomi, the magistrate, and the court clerk, Amin.
They accuse these individuals of abusing their positions to extort money from Matatu operators and drivers, creating a culture of fear and impunity.
Such corruption not only erodes public confidence in the judiciary and police but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of hardworking individuals.
The excessive bond terms and the demand for bribes in what should have been straightforward cases are clear indicators of a corrupt system in need of reform.
Without swift and decisive action, this syndicate will continue to exploit vulnerable citizens, turning justice into a commodity for sale.
It is imperative that the authorities intervene to restore fairness and accountability in the justice system.
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