Police should not force you to pay towing charges, says IG Mutyambai

Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai has advised Kenyan motorists not to allow unscrupulous police officers to tow their vehicles then forcefully charge them towing fees.

During his weekly #EngageTheIG Twitter chat, Mutyambai said the motorist should instead arrange their own towing services as they are the ones who will meet the cost of towing.

“Section1(s) of the 8th Schedule of NPS Act, it is an offence for an officer to commit any act of plunder or destruction of property. Towing away your vehicle and forcing you to pay towing charges. Any expense incurred in moving such a vehicle is payable by the owner. #EngageTheIG,” said the IG.

He was responding to Twitter user @Chuujaomuga, who had asked, “Are police officers allowed to tow vehicles using their preferred “breakdowns” with the cost being put on the car owner even after the insurance company has offered to offer one for the car owner??”

When one’s car is impounded by police for offences or after an accident, some crooked cops normally collude with towing service operators to tow their cars recklessly and damage them while charging them exorbitantly for the service.