Nairobi City Inspectorate is on the spot for alleged harassment, arbitrary arrest, and soliciting bribes from commercial sex workers at night.
The inspectorate famously referred to as Kanjo has been accused of taking Sh 500 bribe from every sex worker.
Nairobi South Member of County Assembly yesterday requested a statement from the legal and justice committee on the status of the implementation and sensitization of the Nairobi City Inspectorate Service Act 2017 to officers in the department, measures the county is taking to protect the residents including commercial sex workers from the ruthless handling by Kanjos and whether the executive is aware of the officers taking bribes every night.
“The 2010 constitution grants citizens freedom. There are increased cases of arrest, extortion, and harassment of commercial sex workers at night in the city by Kanjos. This is an infringement of their rights and fundamental freedom” Waithera said in her statement.
Though the speaker had granted the Legal and Justice Affairs Committee chairman seven days to investigate and table a report on the issue, the inquiry statement was opposed by the Mugumoini MCA who chairs the committee saying commercial sex workers are not legalized in the country hence they cannot investigate an illegality.
“Commercial sex workers is an illegal business according to the constitution. The committee cannot investigate something that is against the law.” Akama posed.
In her reply, Waithera said anything brought to the floor of the assembly is part of the law as even the committee investigated the harassment of hawkers who do business illegally in the county.
“The other day on the floor of this house, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee investigated the issue of hawkers being harassed which has been illegal and you gave a report. Anything brought on the floor of the house is part of the law as per Article 28 of the 2010 constitution about the dignity of humans.” Waithera stated.
The Speaker guided the house that the statement was requesting to know why the inspectorate was soliciting bribes but the members were adamant and said investigating such a matter would taint the image of the assembly.
“Allowing the committee of Justice to legalize an illegality is not fair. In case the committee is to do a site visit where will they go? Nairobi is not like the Netherlands which has a ‘sex city’ used to generate revenue.” The majority leader Peter Imwatok stated.
“It is not in order Mr. Speaker to put the committee in search of a place where the dignity and reputation of the house will be tainted.” Ngara MCA and Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Chege Mwaura said.
“I conquer with Waithera this could be a source of revenue for the county if the Commercial sex workers are arrested and arraigned in court but because the inspectorate takes bribes and leaves them, then the county loses revenue daily.” Nominated MCA Emily Odour said.
In his ruling the speaker allowed the deputy minority leader to reframe her statement and bring it back for reconsideration by the assembly.
“Let the statement request be differed for further consideration…” He ruled.
