Sakaja Allows Kanjos To Arrest Kenyans Recording & Taking Photos Of Them During Raids

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja has given county enforcement officers, popularly known as kanjos, the full authority to arrest Kenyans recording and taking photos of them during raids.

Speaking on Monday during an engagement with the officers, the Governor complained that some Kenyans turned to theatrics as a last resort in a bid to save their business establishments from being raided by the enforcement officers.

He added that while the days of Kanjos engaging in running battles with hawkers in the city are long gone, some people still want to sensationalise arrests, a matter he claimed has been largely aided by social media users who use their phones to record and expose the arrests. 

He cited instances of some hawkers deliberately throwing the goods that they sell to the ground and causing hysteria to the point of drawing widespread attention.

Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja Arthur speaking while dressed in an Inspectorate Uniform belonging to the Chief Commander of the Kanjos on November 21, 2023. /JOHNSON SAKAJA

"The days Kanjos used to engage hawkers in running battles the whole day, has it ever happened? No. There are no running battles, there are none.

"But a few people, because they are looking for clout, they want to sensationalise things. You arrest someone he or she throws their things and because of social media people come to record that they have been arrested," Sakaja complained, arguing that the arrests are necessary to maintain order in the capital city.

He also directed the kanjo askaris to arrest individuals who attempt to obstruct them from maintaining law and order by recording them to expose them on social media, adding that such acts amount to obstruction of justice.

"When someone is caught, should he or she be sung for a song? Order must be maintained. We want a city of order and arrest those who are recording as well," Sakaja directed.

"That is obstruction of enforcement of justice. What you are doing is needed let no one despise you at all."

Even with his directive, the governor admitted that while there might be a few kanjo officers who have tarnished their name, most of the county askaris do what is needed of them.

Sakaja also assured kanjos that they have his full support to discharge their duties, provided they are doing what is right.

"There might be one or two elements giving Kanjo a bad name but if you know you are doing the right thing and your conscience is clear, know that governor is behind you," he assured.

Sakaja's directive is likely to intensify the bad blood that has been present between kanjos and city residents over various issues, with Nairobi residents resorting to recording videos whenever they feel that kanjos have crossed the line or are operating with impunity, a matter which was dominant in the last quarter of 2023.

On October 18, 2023, a kanjo officer's confrontation with TikToker Gloria Ntazola who accused him of entering her vehicle without her consent sparked mixed reactions nationwide.

More than a month later, a street vendor went viral after his groundnuts were spilt by kanjos along Luthuli Avenue, an incident which drew the attention of one of the officials in President William Ruto's government, Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Susan Auma.