Sakaja Goes After Kanjos Who Raided Smokie Trolleys In Nairobi CBD

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced that he will institute disciplinary action against Nairobi County askaris, popularly known as Kanjos captured raiding vendors of mayai and smokie businesses in the Central Business District (CBD).

In a statement, Sakaja termed the incidences, which saw several smokie trolleys being loaded onto county vehicles by the askaris, some of whom were dressed in plain clothes, as "most unfortunate"

"This is not the way to treat Nairobians as we have continually implored our officers to treat Nairobians with Dignity. 

"We have had cordial relations with informal traders for a year but lately, there have been unfortunate incidences that seek to sabotage that. We will take disciplinary action," Sakaja vowed.

The governor ordered the immediate release of all confiscated items as well as issued an apology to the affected traders.

Furthermore, he announced that he personally compensated each of them to the tune of Ksh10,000

"Even if the traders were operating without the required documentation, including a Medical Certificate from Public Health that every food handler must have for the safety of Nairobians, they did not deserve such treatment and we are dealing with this internally," he went on.

Earlier, President William Ruto's top economic advisor, David Ndii, hit out at Sakaja over the crackdown on smokie-mayai vendors by county officers who left behind a trail of destruction.

Ndii in his usual blunt nature faulted the county boss for the directive saying his leadership was not a reflection of the 'Hustler Narrative' championed by President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government under which Sakaja was elected.

“The Nairobi County leadership is not hustler-friendly. That is why I keep prodding Sakaja Johnson on it. Sakaja runs on an “order” platform.

"His plan was to put hustlers in markets which is #UpperDeck sillyness. Street vendors are on streets because that is where customers are,” said the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors chairperson on X (formerly Twitter).

He went ahead to call Sakaja out by posting a screenshot of the Governor's manifesto dubbed ‘City of Order and Dignity’ highlighting a pillar where the latter promised to build 20 markets for hawkers.

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.

The resident further noted that the officers acted on orders from above.

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.