City askaris, popularly known as kanjos, are in trouble after throwing a teargas canister into a matatu, sparking a fire inside and injuring three passengers on Wednesday.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko expressed his anger at the askaris through a statement on his social media, vowing to punish the county employees for their rogue behaviour
"Hawa watakiona (They will face the music). Why throw a tear gas canister to passengers when provoked by PSV operators?" Sonko wrote.
He also proceeded to offer apologies to the passengers affected in the incident.
The driver of the Umoja-bound matatu, Patrick Kariuki, told journalists that the askaris took the ignition keys as he was at the bus terminal and beat him up before calling for reinforcement from colleagues who hurled the teargas canister inside the PSV.
Kariuki maintained that he had not committed any offence to warrant such behaviour from the county staff.
A passenger who had boarded the mini-bus narrated to Nation that she was surprised to hear an explosion inside the vehicle and cloud of smoke filled the air moments later.
"My whole body ilikuwa inawasha, na chest nilikuwa nafeel naburn, tukitry kutoka, kiti ilikuwa inawaka moto (My whole body became itchy and I could feel a burning sensation in my lungs. As we tried to escape, I saw the seats were on fire)," she stated after receiving first aid.
The askaris have been on the news multiple times due to their rough haphazard arrests and conduct.
Citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua was attacked in November 2018, as he filmed city council officers arresting a boda boda operator in a manner he termed as dangerous.
“The officers were arresting a motorbike operator... it was dangerous...the bike was on the move carrying a passenger and they pulled it from the back,” narrated the journalist.
While at the station, Kimani explained that the officers beat him up, banging his head against the wall severally until he bled, soaking his shirt.
Watch a video of the driver narrating the incident.
Ruto Appoints 20 New High Court Judges [LIST] News Just In
