It is illegal for police officers to charge motorists towing charges every time their vehicles are towed to a police station after a traffic offense.
A court in Nairobi has ruled that there is no law that allows the police to impose such fees and that it amounts to an abuse of power by the police.
Principal Magistrate B.M Nzakyo said the money charged by these police officers often go to individual pockets and not to the government.
“This money goes into individual pockets and it is an abuse of power for the police,” said the Judge.
The ruling will now hit hard on police officers, some of them with senior ranks who have invested heavily in towing vehicles that have seen Kenyan motorists cough out thousands of shillings.
Whenever a car is towed, the owner is required to pay between 8,000 and 9,000 shillings no matter the distance. Most cars are towed without them having any fault.
“That ruling was long overdue. Motorists have been going through a lot in the hands of these traffic police. Some will pin offenses on you just so that they can tow your car,” said Mr. Frank Aduma, a PSV car owner.
Mr. Robert Macharia, a lawyer by profession, had been taken to court on claims that he was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was required to pay a towing fee of 8,500 shillings but he declined.