A Nairobi County Council Pick-Up vehicle loaded with hawkers merchandise parked along Kenyatta Avenue.
Hawkers operating in Nairobi’s Central Business District have raised the alarm over what they describe as a growing vice within the city inspectorate, commonly known as kanjos, that is making their work environment unbearable.
Jane* (not her real name), a hawker, told the Nairobi County Assembly that inspectorate officers were guilty of sexual harassment, corruption, assault, and brutality. Jane said she had endured various forms of abuse in the streets and could no longer remain silent.
“It has taken a lot of courage for me to speak out,” said Jane. “I’m standing up for many who are too afraid to talk for fear of losing their lives or livelihoods.”
According to her testimony, sexual harassment is rampant. “I have experienced it personally. My colleagues have also been told to sleep with these officers to be allowed to hawk without interference,” she told Members of County Assembly (MCAs). “One officer used to confiscate my goods and put them in the inspectorate vehicle. If I didn’t ‘talk nicely’ to him, I would have to go to City Hall and pay to get my items back.”
She identified one of the perpetrators by the street name Brown, alleging he and his team routinely harass female hawkers and coerce them into sexual relations.
“They don’t court us or make overt advances. They simply expect us to obey,” she said.
A Nairobi County Council pick-up parked across Luthuli Avenue.
She recounted an incident in March this year when she was attacked by inspectorate officers after refusing to give in to their sexual demands and bribery.
Speaking to Nation on Monday outside the Nairobi County Assembly after submitting her complaint, she revealed that her ordeal worsened when she threatened to expose the officers. Although a temporary truce was reached after the first assault, where the officers assured her she would no longer be harassed, things escalated days later.
“They returned, took my merchandise, assaulted me, and dragged me on the ground. Their leader called me a prostitute and declared I would not be allowed to sell there again,” she said, pointing to her injured back, which later required medical attention and the use of a spinal belt.
She sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital by fellow hawkers. Doctors advised her to limit movement to aid recovery. Despite her condition, Ms Jane said she had no choice but to continue seeking justice due to her growing financial burdens.
“I’m bedridden. I can’t take my children to school. I have bills to pay and I’m surviving on loans from friends. I just want justice and to get my items back so I can earn a living,” she said.
Damaris, another hawker, said harassment from the officers was routine.
“This is nothing new. You either pay a weekly bribe or sleep with one of them,” she told Nation outside the assembly. She declined to give further details or disclose her full name, citing safety concerns.
The claims come nearly five months after Governor Johnson Sakaja reshuffled the Inspectorate Department following mounting complaints of harassment.
A man being forced to board a Nairobi County Council pick-up by plaincloth county council officers along Mfangano Street in Nairobi.
Former Chief Officer for Security and Compliance, Tony Kimani, was moved to the Customer Care docket, while his deputy, Eva Wangechi Wairiuko, was appointed Acting Chief Officer of the Inspectorate. However, both Ms Wairiuko and the Director of City Inspectorate, Benjamin Omondi, failed to appear before the County Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) despite summons.
Mugumo-ini MCA and committee chair Jared Akama confirmed that they were investigating the matter following Jane’s formal complaint. Nairobi CBD MCA Mwaniki Kwenya also submitted a petition, citing similar abuses by inspectorate officers.
Mr Kwenya called for the immediate suspension of the department’s leadership, accusing them of violating the rights of hawkers who pay taxes to the county government. He also revealed that he had been harassed by the officers while trying to stop them from assaulting traders.
“We will take action,” assured Mr Akama. “The heads of the Inspectorate Department will be summoned to appear next week to respond to these serious allegations.”
