- President William Ruto urged Kenyans to stop paying bribes to police officers, stressing the need for joint action against corruption
- Ruto highlighted the deep-rooted issue of police bribery, calling it a shared responsibility between the public and the government
- The President stressed that fighting corruption requires dealing with police officers who ask for bribes and the citizens who give them
- Ruto called for strict action against corrupt police officers while also urging Kenyans to change their behavior and refuse bribes
Poisonous – President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to play a greater role in fighting corruption within the National Police Service.
Source: Twitter
Speaking at a public meeting in Kisumu on Thursday, August 29, Ruto emphasized the need for joint efforts to tackle the widespread issue of police corruption.
Ruto admitted that the issue is a deep-rooted problem in the country, while calling on Kenyans who give money to police officers to avoid legal consequences.
“There is a serious apathy, and this is something that we must deal with as Kenyans. It is important for us to say that there are people who are lobbying the police for money,” he said.
The head of state asked Kenyans to put an end to the cases of bribery of police officers, noting that the responsibility to end corruption lies with the public and the government.
“I think it is high time that, even as Kenyans, we stop the culture of bribing the police because sometimes the police cannot resist the offers made and the progress made. We must deal with this issue of corruption from all sides,” Ruto. he explained.
How does Ruto expect to deal with corruption?
President Ruto further saw the need to take strict action against police officers who ask for or accept bribes.
However, Ruto reiterated that the problem cannot be solved by targeting the police alone, as those who pay bribes are equally responsible for encouraging the evil.
“We must make sure that we take action against the police who ask for the money and the Kenyans who give money must also be told that they are part of the problem and I don't know who will tell them. We have to tell ourselves as people to stop that culture,” he said.
Who bribed the former police chief in Koome?
In a related incident, former inspector general of police Japheth Koome publicly acknowledged the widespread corruption in the National Police Service.
He referred to this issue as 'returns' and explained that junior officers collect money and send it to their superiors.
Koome recounted instances where lower officials tried to give him income from corrupt activities, which he refused.
The former IG stressed the need for the police service to take a stand against corruption, saying, “enough is enough now”.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
