Editor's Review

The Public CS while expressing his displeasure dragged Police IG Japhet Koome into the matter.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has put on notice traffic police officers harassing matatu owners in Eldoret over their insurance cover.

The CS noted that the law enforcers have been soliciting bribes from the PSV operators who could not get new covers after Xplico Insurance which most of them hold insurance policies with was put under receivership.

Kuria suggested that motorists were being frustrated into getting insurance from other companies, failure to which they were being asked to part with monies.

He stated that it would not be rational to expect Kenyans to have new covers overnight after following the tribulations faced by Xplico.

Kuria disclosed he was in receipt of numerous complaints from the frustrated PSV owners.

The CS while cautioning the officers revealed he had engaged the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome promising to take action soon.

"I have received reports about traffic police officers asking for bribes from PSV owners who have cover from Explico Insurance which was only put under receivership yesterday. It's not reasonable to expect innocent policyholders to get new cover over the weekend. I have raised this issue with IG Japheth Koome. Any police officers especially around Eldoret Town who are doing this, do it at your own risk. I urge all PSV owners not to pay any bribes," said Kuria.

File image of traffic cops on duty.

As earlier indicated, the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) on Friday, December 8, placed Xplico Insurance Company Limited under receivership.

The Policyholders Compensation Fund (PCF) would then be handed the role of the Statutory Manager for the company.

Following the move, Xplico would not issue any new insurance contracts from December 8.

The existing policyholders were advised to immediately seek alternative covers from other licensed insurers.

However, the IRA assured the affected claimants that the new receiver would compensate them as provided for in the law.