There is no doubt police constable Alphonsious Nyasetia is gifted man. He is making a positive change in society not by the butt of the gun, but by singing.

Mr Nyasetia, through music, is also cautioning his colleagues against taking bribes.

The officer based at Kilimani police station in Nairobi, through a song -- TKK Hatutaki Tena -- is reaching out to fellow workmates.

Kenya is ranked the sixth most corrupt among 47 African countries, according to a recent Transparency International corruption perception index.

Kenya ranks lowest among the five countries forming the revived East African Corporation. Uganda and Tanzania enjoy favourable positions.

Make a difference

The TI team has cited the police as the most corrupt for six years running, but Mr Nyasetia says his colleagues can change this rating once and for all.

"We can make a difference... we also need public support to end corruption," he said. "It's the responsibility of every Kenyan to say No to corruption," the officer says.

The culture of giving bribes is so ingrained in Kenyans that when they come into contact with the police, the temptation is to offer a bribe.

"I feel bad when accusing fingers point at the police every time." said Mr Nyasetia. "Instead of people seeing the police as protectors, many view them as enemies."

Mr Nyasetia, whose TKK Hatutaki Tena was nominated for the Best Video Award in the Kisima Awards in 2007, but lost to Gidi Gidi's Wanaume Ibilis (Men are ), has gained popularity.

His song has been played in virtually all local FM radio stations.

Joining the police force did not deter him from nurturing his talent, since he participated in various choirs as well as composed music during free time.

Alphamatone, as he is known on stage, was posted to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Gilgil after training. He was then posted to Elburgon, where he was also put in charge of a choir.

As soon as he led the choir to the provincial levels, he was transferred to Kehancha. But his colleagues in Elburgon would hear none of it and convinced superiors to send him back to help the choir.

In 2003, he was transferred to Kilimani Police Station, where he linked up with Quachez, a fellow policeman who also likes music and had been transferred to Nairobi a year earlier.

Mr Nyasetia says the public should be held accountable whenever it induces police officers, adding that the people are always ready to part with something not-necessarily-small, once they realise that they are on the wrong.

Traffic offenders

"Once people realise they have messed up with the law, they are the ones prompting police officers to accept a bribe." He said "traffic offenders are the greatest bribe givers".

He said at times, the offence could be bailed out with a small amount, yet offenders are ready to part with a big amount.

"In the case of not using a safety belt, one is required to pay a fine of not more than Sh500," he said, "but people tend to part with even Sh5,000 not to be booked in a police station."

Mr Nyasetia was in charge of the police choir that he led to the national level of the Catholic Church Choir Competition.

"Police officers succumb to temptation...the public should stop inducing police officers by giving them money," he added.

The officer says most corridors of power are badly hit, adding that while police officers, especially from the traffic department, have always been branded the most corrupt, several parastatal staff and other high ranking government officials were the most corrupt.

"Policemen are branded the most corrupt because they are seen taking bribes," he said. "But what of the large governmental firms that record poor results as a result of embezzled funds?"

Alphamatone has also done a number of songs including Funga Mshipi, TKK and Nitafanya.

Apart from fighting graft, Alphamatone was instrumental in the healing of the nation after the December chaotic poll.

After the country was thrown into turmoil in January, Alphamaton joined hands with his fellow artists to form the Peace Caravan that traversed several estates in the city.