Illegal orders? Sakaja direct arrest those filming ‘kanjo askaris’ while on duty
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja has sparked controversy after issuing a controversial illegal decree ordering county Inspectorate Officers famously referred to as ‘kanjo askaris’ to arrest those who film them while executing arrests across the city.
In a move widely interpreted as a move curtail public oversight into the conduct of county enforcement officers while in the line of duty and whom in the past have recorded notoriety in blatant harassment and arbitrary arrests of Nairobians has since attracted mixed reactions.
The governor said those filming obstruct the officers from enforcing justice.
He said the people who record the inspectorates do it for sensationalizing and clout chasing.
“Arrest those who record while you’re making arrests. A few people do it for clout chasing and sensationalizing. Order must be maintained because that is obstruction of justice. Do the right thing and your work because they also do not record police officers.” Sakaja ordered.
He admitted that some of the inspectorates do injustice to Nairobians adding that he will support those who observe the laws.
“There might be elements giving Kanjo’s a bad name but know that if you are doing the right thing, as the governor, I am with you.” He said.
When questioned about the impact of his directive, Sakaja said that he had no issue with the recording but the obstruction while recording is what he has a problem with.
“No problem with recording. The only issue is obstructing them while performing their duties.” Sakaja told The Informer Media Group.
This comes as a change of tune as last year October, Sakaja apologised to street vendors harassed by Kanjos compensating them with Sh 10,000 each for the loss incurred during the operation which saw several lost valuables.
At that time, Sakaja indicated that the destruction of the goods of the hawkers was an effort to sabotage his administration, which he said has enjoyed a cordial relationship with the vendors.
The city boss had indicated that the vendors did not deserve such treatment, even though some of them had not met all the legal requirements to operate in the city.
“Even if the traders were operating without the required documentation, including a Medical Certificate from Public Health that every food handler must have for the safety of Nairobians, they did not deserve such treatment and we are dealing with this internally.” Sakaja previously stated.
He added that despite the new directive, the relationship between his administration and hawkers remains good, and the incidences of injuries like it was before the 2022 elections have greatly reduced.
“Our relationship remains mostly impeccable save for one or two incidents. Compare with pre Aug 2022. Running battles daily. Injuries on officers and hawkers etc. Has it ever happened again?” Governor Sakaja told The Informer media group.
