Traffic Police Stops Felix Koskei, Asks Him For a Bribe

While speaking to senior police bosses in a meeting, the head of public service Felix Koskei recounted an in incident when a traffic police officer stopped him and asked for a ‘token’.

According to Koskei, he was driving within the City of Nairobi when he was abruptly stopped by a traffic police officer. Since he could not find an appropriate spot to park and talk to the officer, he continued driving for a few metres until he found an appropriate spot to park.

The traffic officer who was on a motorbike faked ‘anger’ and accused him of not stopping immediately after he gave out the order. “You are the people who disturb us. Why did you no stop? We are going with you to the station in Kilimani,” the officer told Koskei.

According to Koskei’s narration, the officer went on and demanded for ‘something small’. He insisted that he would be forced to take farther action if ‘something’ was not produced.

The officer did not know that he was asking a bribe from the head of public service. Koskei rolled down his window and fully introduced himself to the officer.

Realizing that he had stopped a senior government official and asked for a bribe. The officer was forced to change the tune immediately.

“I didn’t ask for a bribe, am just saying that it is too cold on this motorbike,” the officer said. This was still another way of asking for a bribe. Surprisingly, Koskei stated that he agreed to give ‘something’ small to the officer but warned him to stop the behavior.