This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
Raila Junior's Roadside Carwash Ban Sparks Outrage ¶
November 12, 2019, marked a day of intense debate on Twitter as Raila Junior Odinga, son of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, called for a ban on roadside car washes in Nairobi's Lavington.
According to Raila Junior, adherence to laws and policies should apply to everyone, regardless of their social status. He emphasized the need for proper zoning and safety standards in the city.
People need to understand that adherence of laws and policies apply to everyone, it’s not about being privileged, this city needs law and order proper zoning and safety standards. These are the difficult conversations we need to have — Raila Junior Odinga (@Railajunior) November 12, 2019
However, his call for a ban was met with fierce resistance from many Kenyans who saw it as an attack on the livelihoods of jobless youth who rely on manual jobs like washing cars to make a living.
Young men are eking out an honest living and doing their best to survive in this difficult Nairobi but a blue blood who doesn't know what it means to go hungry wants them kicked out his pretty neighbourhood. — Übermensch (@Trackmann) November 12, 2019
Some citizens defended Raila Junior's stance, arguing that the city needs to be planned and ordered to ensure safety and cleanliness.
Is it a crime to be rich?he @Railajunior has made a good observation. We need to create order in the city by planning well … we don't need to castigate a good idea just because we are poor….in any case poverty is not a virtue, it's a vice.. — Nikk Nicolas (@Nikkymosh) November 13, 2019
Others, however, accused Raila Junior of being out of touch with the struggles of Kenyan youth and living in a 'glass house' while throwing stones at those who are trying to make a living.
You know no struggles of a Kenyan youth's life. Keep to your lane. Let Kenyan youths earn an honest living. You live in a glass house and you are now throwing stones… Watch out. — Mwendia Ungu. (@MwendiaUngu) November 12, 2019
As the debate raged on, some citizens pointed out that the roadside car washes in Lavington have been protected by Mike Sonko and area MCA Moses Ogeto through bribes to County Officials.
Raila Junior was at the receiving end of attacks because of a statement he made concerning Lavington roadside car washes. These car washes from 2015, & courtesy of the 'Simba Arati Foundation', are protected by Mike Sonko & area MCA Moses Ogeto through bribes to County Officials! — Kiigen K. Koech #JKUATLivesMatter (@KiigenKoech) November 13, 2019
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the issue of roadside car washes in Lavington has sparked a heated discussion about law and order, zoning, and safety standards in Nairobi.
