President Ruto Urges Kenyans to Stop Bribing Police, Calls for Accountability

President William Ruto has pointed to the role Kenyans play in fueling corruption within the police force by offering bribes. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Kisumu on Thursday, Ruto emphasized that while police officers demanding bribes must be held accountable, civilians who offer them are equally responsible for perpetuating corruption.

“There’s serious impunity, and this is something we must confront as a nation,” Ruto stated. He argued that the culture of bribing police officers needs to end. “Sometimes, officers find it hard to resist the money offered to them. We must tackle this issue from all angles.”

Ruto defended police officers, acknowledging that they are human and may occasionally fail to resist temptation. However, he stressed that both sides need to take responsibility for their actions. “We must take action against officers who ask for money, and equally, those who offer bribes must understand that they are part of the problem,” he said.

In response to the rising corruption, Ruto announced that the government is working to modernize the police force by digitizing its services, including the Occurrence Book (OB). He believes that digitization will enhance transparency, allowing real-time monitoring of police activities and reducing incidents of lost records. “We are piloting a digital OB system to keep track of all reports and ensure nothing disappears,” Ruto explained. This move is part of a broader plan to modernize police operations and facilities.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo echoed Ruto’s sentiments, adding that the government plans to install CCTV cameras to monitor police activities more closely. “There is a proposal to enhance surveillance in major cities like Nairobi and Mombasa,” Omollo said, suggesting that increased accountability through technology could help curb corruption.

As Kenya grapples with endemic corruption, President Ruto’s call for both police and civilians to change their behavior marks a significant push towards a more transparent and accountable system.