President William Ruto has recently highlighted a critical issue of corruption within Kenya’s police force, pointing out that Kenyans themselves contribute to the problem.

During a town hall meeting in Kisumu on Thursday, President Ruto stated that citizens play a significant role in fueling corruption through bribery. He emphasized that while police officers who extort money should be held accountable, civilians who offer bribes also share the blame for the corruption crisis.

“The reality is that there is serious impunity, and we must address this issue collectively,” Ruto said. He argued that since police officers are humans and may occasionally succumb to the temptation of accepting bribes, it is crucial to address the problem from all sides. The President urged, “It is time for us as Kenyans to stop the culture of bribing the police.”

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Government Efforts to Combat Corruption

In response to the corruption issue, President Ruto outlined the government’s plans to modernize and digitize the police sector. Specifically, he explained that by digitizing services, including the Occurrence Book (OB), the government aims to enhance transparency and, as a result, prevent the loss of police records.

“We are implementing a program to digitize all police stations. This will allow us to monitor operations in real-time and ensure that reports do not disappear,” he noted.

Additionally, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced plans to increase surveillance through CCTV cameras. “We are proposing the installation of CCTV cameras in major cities like Nairobi and Mombasa to boost street surveillance and ensure police accountability,” Omollo stated.

President Ruto’s comments and the government’s proposed measures reflect a broader effort to tackle corruption in the police force and enhance overall accountability.