Kidero says criminal gangs impersonating City askaris and harassing hawkers

The Nairobi County government has denied allegation that City askaris have been harassing and killing hawkers in the streets and instead blamed criminal gangs of impersonating the askaris and committing the felonies.

Over the last few weeks County askaris have been accused of killing hawkers who have been alleged to be doing illegal businesses in the CBD.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has, however, said that criminal gangs have been impersonating County askaris and demanding money from hawkers and harassing them.

"The CBD is full of criminal gangs who are masquerading as county personnel leading to tension between traders and county askaris,” said Dr Kidero in a statement sent to newsrooms.

The governor said enforcement officers from City Hall have themselves been victims of brutality from the criminal elements.

"Nairobians are hereby advised that Nairobi City County staff and in particular enforcement officers are required to be in uniform and carry along with them some form of identification," he said.

Dr Kidero said his administration has made attempts at dialogue rather than confrontation in handling matters concerning licences for hawkers to operate in the city.

PARTNER WITH POLICE

He said his administration has reached an agreement with the National Police Service to ensure that traders are protected from extortionist gangs.

The County Executive Committee member for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Tourism Anna Othoro said that the county had established that the allegations against the county were maliciously driven by people out to tarnish City Hall’s image.

Ms Othoro said that those raising concerns on the brutality had failed to identify the officials alleged to have committed the crimes thus making it difficult to ensure justice is done.

“The hawkers have been in my office and I have told them to identify the officials but they have failed to do so yet we are willing to ensure they get justice,” said Ms Othoro.

She added that the hawkers have sometimes been fighting among themselves and then blaming the County askaris.

DECONGEST CITY

She said that City Hall had drafted a Bill that will ensure the interests of the hawkers are taken into consideration besides decongesting the city.

Ms Othoro said that the hawkers will be able to form saccos as well as bring order in the chaotic business.

The county government is set to expand and renovate existing market as a way of relocating the hawkers from the streets to designated areas.

“We will have Kariokor Market, Shauri Moyo, Makina market in Kibera, Caren market and Gikomba redesigned to accommodate the fast growing number of traders in the city,” said Ms Othoro.