This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On Tuesday, hundreds of hawkers in Eastleigh took to the streets, marching to City Hall to protest what they claim is harassment by county inspectorate officials. The protest occurred on July 23, 2019.
The hawkers, who were accompanied by their chairman Samuel Muraguri, claim that they were removed from Eastleigh market, also known as Chokora, by county askaris. Some were allegedly forcefully taken from 4th and 5th streets, despite an earlier directive by Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.
According to the hawkers, county inspectorate officials, led by Commander Steven Waweru, have been harassing them, confiscating their goods, and refusing to return them even after fines are paid.
One of the hawkers told Got Radio News, 'These kanjos through their commander Steven Waweru have been harassing us, our goods were confiscated even if you pay fine they don’t return them, we are tired with these people.'
After a brief meeting with Governor Sonko, the hawkers were granted an audience, during which the governor promised to address the matter. However, the hawkers have expressed concerns that Commander Waweru should be removed from the area, as they believe he is colluding with shop owners and wholesalers to frustrate them.
