Outspoken advocate for human rights, Jerotich Seii, recently drew attention to the conduct of Nairobi-based county enforcement officers, commonly referred to as Kanjo, following the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing them accepting bribes from an unidentified individual.
The video footage portrays two enforcement officers, attired in suits, interacting with a man who proceeds to withdraw a significant sum of cash from his wallet, purportedly amounting to thousands, and surrenders it to the officers.
Subsequent to the exchange, the Kanjo officers are observed departing from the scene.
These events unfolded shortly after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addressed concerns regarding the conduct of county enforcement officers (Kanjo), particularly in response to individuals recording their activities during arrests.
Speaking on Monday, Sakaja expressed that while the era of Kanjo officers engaging in confrontations with street vendors in the city has largely passed, there are still individuals seeking to sensationalize such arrests.
He attributed this phenomenon, in part, to social media users who utilize their smartphones to document these incidents.
Governor Sakaja clarified that during arrests, some vendors opt to abandon their merchandise, which is often captured by those recording the events.
“There were days when Kanjo officers would engage in chases with hawkers throughout the city all day long, has that ever happened? No. There are no more such confrontations. However, a few individuals, driven by a desire for attention, tend to exaggerate situations. When someone is apprehended, they may abandon their possessions, and because of social media, people rush to document these incidents,” remarked Sakaja.
He emphasized that arrests are conducted to uphold order within the city of Nairobi and directed the Kanjo officers to detain individuals who attempt to impede their efforts by recording them.
Sakaja stressed that such actions constitute obstruction of justice.
“Should someone be allowed to sing a song when apprehended? Order must prevail. We seek a city characterized by orderliness, and those who engage in recording must also be apprehended. That is obstructing the enforcement of justice. Your actions are necessary, and no one should undermine them,” Sakaja asserted.
