Nyong'o Takes Action on Rogue Kisumu County Askaris

A woman being dragged by askaris in Kisumu County
A woman being dragged by askaris in Kisumu County
(COURTESY)

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o on Thursday, March 25, suspended 12 County Askaris following an incident where a woman trader was filmed being dragged from a moving vehicle on Wednesday, March 24.

In a statement, Nyong'o expressed disappointment at the officers' behaviour, and wished the victim a quick recovery.

"While away in Nairobi on official Council of Governors’ meetings, I have been saddened and shocked by a very unfortunate incident in Kisumu...

"I have directed the City Manager to immediately suspend from duty all the officers who were involved in this incident with immediate effect, until the conclusion of the ongoing probe on the matter," he stated.

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o addresses the media at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete in Kiambu During a Consultative Devolution meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o addresses the media at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete in Kiambu During a Consultative Devolution meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Nyong'o further asked all County enforcement officers to carry out their duties while fully respecting human rights. At the same time, he asked members of the public to respect and adhere to City Regulations and the Rule of Law.

The incident caused an uproar after the video went viral, with many demanding that action be taken against the officers.

The 38-year-old woman narrated her ordeal and said that the officers dragged her on the road after she reused to board the county van.

“I was not aware of their presence, so when several hands held me, I tried to turn and see what was happening, but it was not possible. They handled me inappropriately and tried to bundle me into the back of the pickup,” she said.

The woman's  22-year-old son was also locked up at Central Police Station after he attempted to rescue the mother.

The vehicle was carrying hawkers arrested for allegedly conducting business illegally on the streets of Kisumu.

The hawkers accused the county officers of mistreatment, adding that they have been arbitrarily harassed and beaten up on the streets as the county remains silent.

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