In Summary

• The conductor claims he first to be hit by the officer.
• He is currently at Central police Station waiting to be arraigned in court for a number of charges.

Matatu conductor Alex Kago is now in police cells this is after he was arrested for allegedly  exchanging blows and assaulting traffic police officers allegations that have been trashed by his sacco.

Kago who is a Matatu operator with Royal sacco,was caught in a scuffle with traffic officer after he allegedly refused to give the officer five hundred shillings bribe.

The fight ensued when the officer was writing him charges the Matatu had flouted.When he  realized that the charges were excess and unreasonable he questioned the officer, something that prompted the officer to punch him on the face before he retaliated back with a blow.In the scuffle the conductor lost a tooth.

“It is sad that Kago was assaulted ,arrested and detained for not giving a bribe of 500 shillings. The officer concerned was very categorical on his unethical demands he didn’t want 100 shillings, he made it clear to Kago that he can only take five hundred shillings. They arrested and later accosted him with beatings at the cell.This is not how things are supposed to be done.” Jeff Chacha of Royal Sacco said.

“When we visited him at Central Police Station he was bleeding profusely and they didn’t even make an attempt of giving him medication…this is injustice and we are calling on Independent Policing Oversight Authority IPOA to investigate the conduct of this traffic officer. Kago added.

kago is expected in within 24 Hours and he is likely to be charged with assault,resisting arrest and creating disturbance.

Police Bribes and PSV

According to Matatu Owners Association they are losing more than 3 billion shillings annually of  bribes to rogue and corrupt traffic police  officers.

“There are too many traffic officers on the roads that do not do anything other than extort from PSV drivers. There is a need to reduce the officers as they are not adding any value nor promoting road safety,” the association said.