Kanjos Raid Smokie Trolleys In Nairobi CBD [PHOTOS & VIDEO]

Vendors of mayai and smokie businesses in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) are counting losses after their businesses were raided by Nairobi County askaris, popularly known as Kanjos.

Photos and a video seen by Viral Tea captured several smokie trolleys being loaded onto county vehicles by the askaris, some of whom were dressed in plain clothes.

Speaking to Viral Tea, a Nairobi resident privy to the developing matter revealed that the askaris staged the raid on smokie businesses across the CBD on the basis of not being in possession of health documents.

In particular, the businesses were targeted because they didn't possess a permit for food handlers, which indicates to the County that the business person is fit to handle food that is suitable and safe for public consumption.

Here is the video:

The resident further noted that the officers acted on orders from above. Neither the Nairobi County office nor Governor Johnson Sakaja had yet to issue a statement on the matter by the time of publishing this story.

Some netizens questioned the motive of the raid given that it went against President William Ruto's constant push for informal businesses to succeed in the country.

"Hustlers in Nairobi CBD are enjoying the fruits of a hustler government. Mayai and Smokie vendors are counting losses after Nairobi City County Kanjos raided their businesses. The scenes!" Bravin Yuri wrote.

“My friends wa kanjo, if it is a must to arrest these people, please do it in a humane way. Protect whatever the businesses, big or small. Their families depend on that for survival.” read a Facebook post by philanthropist Ndungu Nyoro. 

The activist went on to urge well-wishers to help him trace one of the vendors who incurred losses during the raid, asking "Someone has promised to help restock whatever was in the trolley if we can trace the owner. Do you know how we can reach him/her ndio watoto wasilale njaa?" 

According to Kenyan County Council law, it is illegal to run a food business without a Food Handler’s Certificate. Having one nonetheless shows that you don’t have any food-borne illnesses, and can therefore handle food for consumers, safely and shows that you are a credible business person.

Still, smokie businesses have become the most popular and lucrative among those owning such businesses who make thousands of shillings per day producing the delicacy known to be a cheap snack for Nairobians in the city.

The Nairobi county government earlier announced plans to relocate all city traders to the back lanes in order to bring sanity to the city, with Sakaja wishing for the small-scale traders to flourish in an orderly way, thus approving the relocation of 6,500 hawkers. 

“We intend to relocate the hawkers and create order in the CBD as per our RRI targets,” Nairobi County Executive for Hustlers and Business Opportunities, Maureen Njeri stated on July 31, 2023.

Among areas within the CBD that were targeted for this exercise included Sotik Road, Dubois, Turkana Drive, Posta, and Kirinyaga Lane. 

A photo of smokie trolleys loaded onto a kanjo truck on October 18, 2023. /ABDIKARIM HUSSEIN