Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 409
- 98
Last Thursday, I was arrested for a minor traffic offence at a roundabout. I was on the innermost lane and was supposed to make a full 360-degree turn before exiting the roundabout. I had never done that on an actual road, only kwa ile board ya driving school! š
A traffic officer stopped me and accused me of improper change of lane. I admitted my mistake and he got inside the car. If youāre Kenyan, you know this is usually the point where negotiations about kitu kidogo begin. I kept quiet and simply asked him for directions to the Police station.
At the station, my details were recorded, and I was asked to pay 5,000 cash bail. As I was going to withdraw the money, he suggested that I could instead āongea tu na afisa tuelewane.ā I understood what he meant but my Christian convictions would not allow me to bribe my way out of the situation.
I paid the cash bail, got my receipt and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Monday morning, I received a call from a man who introduced himself as the case officer. He explained that my file was not ready and that going to court would be a waste of time. He asked me to report to the station instead. When I arrived, he explained the process and suggested that I should have simply talked things through with the other officer instead of going through the court process.
I explained to him that I had asked the officer to pardon me but he had declined and because of my faith I had chosen to face the consequences rather than compromise my conscience.
To my surprise, he asked for my cash bail receipt, returned my money and let me go without any sanctions.
I left the station thinking: Our problem with corruption is not just about the people taking bribes. It is also about the people willing to give them.
Corruption needs someone willing to give and someone willing to receive. We cannot keep blaming one side while excusing the other.
If we want a less corrupt Kenya, we must be willing to do our part, even when it costs us time, money or convenience.
May we (by Godās grace) be people who not only condemn corruption but also refuse to participate in it.
Ni hayo tu kwa sasa! Go in peace and serve the Lord.
A traffic officer stopped me and accused me of improper change of lane. I admitted my mistake and he got inside the car. If youāre Kenyan, you know this is usually the point where negotiations about kitu kidogo begin. I kept quiet and simply asked him for directions to the Police station.
At the station, my details were recorded, and I was asked to pay 5,000 cash bail. As I was going to withdraw the money, he suggested that I could instead āongea tu na afisa tuelewane.ā I understood what he meant but my Christian convictions would not allow me to bribe my way out of the situation.
I paid the cash bail, got my receipt and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Monday morning, I received a call from a man who introduced himself as the case officer. He explained that my file was not ready and that going to court would be a waste of time. He asked me to report to the station instead. When I arrived, he explained the process and suggested that I should have simply talked things through with the other officer instead of going through the court process.
I explained to him that I had asked the officer to pardon me but he had declined and because of my faith I had chosen to face the consequences rather than compromise my conscience.
To my surprise, he asked for my cash bail receipt, returned my money and let me go without any sanctions.
I left the station thinking: Our problem with corruption is not just about the people taking bribes. It is also about the people willing to give them.
Corruption needs someone willing to give and someone willing to receive. We cannot keep blaming one side while excusing the other.
If we want a less corrupt Kenya, we must be willing to do our part, even when it costs us time, money or convenience.
May we (by Godās grace) be people who not only condemn corruption but also refuse to participate in it.
Ni hayo tu kwa sasa! Go in peace and serve the Lord.