This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
On July 11, 2019, hawkers in Nairobi's Umoja area were subjected to unlawful arrests and harassment by county council officers, known as kanjo.
The hawkers, mostly traders selling sweets and gums by the roadside, claim that the officers demand money from them in exchange for their release.
One of the traders lamented, "We're arrested and they demand Sh. 60,000. Where do we expect to get such an amount of money when we make a meager Sh. 100 per day?"
Another trader expressed frustration, saying, "When we voted for Sonko's government, we hoped things would change for small-scale traders. Unfortunately, things are becoming worse. Where are you, Governor?"
The hawkers are now appealing to Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to intervene and save them from the rogue officers.
