Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday suspended senior managers in his administration with immediate effect over the recent trend where kanjos have been consistently caught on camera harassing business owners in various parts of the Capital.
In a statement, Sakaja announced the suspension of Tony Kimani, the Security and Compliance Chief Officer.
Benjamin Omondi, the Director of City Inspectorate was also suspended.
The county chief also announced the suspension of Carol Njuguna, the Assistant Director of Operations.
Kimani and Otieno will be replaced by Eva Wairuko and William Kangongo who will hold the positions in acting capacity.
“Following a series of events and investigations into recent incidences into various parts of the city involving traders, motorists, and business owners, it has been decided the following officers be suspended,” read a statement issued by the Governor's Office.
This comes after a series of harassment blunders by county askaris that have forced Sakaja to apologise to the public.
On October 18, 2023, Sakaja was forced to compensate a section of smokie and egg vendors Ksh10,000 each after kanjos descended on their businesses, vandalised their trolleys, and carted others away.
"I have ordered the immediate release of all confiscated items, apologized to the traders, and personally compensated each of them to the tune of 10,000 shillings each," the Governor said in a statement.
A day later, Kenyans online jumped to the defence of a woman, after a viral video depicted a kanjo forcing himself into her car without permission. The officer claimed that the lady had parked her car wrongly.
Similarly, Sakaja was on November 22, forced to scramble and meet up with a 14-year-old hawker, a Burundi national, after kanjos poured his peanuts on the ground.
"After investigating the unfortunate incident involving Burundian minor Ndagire Renova whose groundnuts were spilt, I met him and engaged the Burundian Ambassador to Kenya to discuss safeguarding the minor," said Sakaja.
