Coronavirus Puts An End to Kanjo’s Love Hate Relationship With City Hawkers

covid 19

When Kenya reported its first case of coronavirus, the government has on its toes to manage the virus that was declared a pandemic by the Wolrd Health Organization. On Friday, the government ordered all learning institutions to close down, asked employers to allow their employees to work from home and the public urged to use cashless transactions

Citizens were urged to practice social distancing and self-quarantine to contain the virus. Hospitals, malls and other such establishments were asked to provide soap, water and sanitiser. In line with these preventive measures against coronavirus, embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has ordered city-county inspectorate and enforcement departments officers to suspend arresting offenders with immediate effect.

According to Sonko, since coronavirus took a toll on the wheels of justice in Kenya, it beats logic to arrests offenders and arraigns them in court within 24 hours as operations of all courts in  Kenya have been suspended.

“I have suspended with immediate effect all the arrests by the Nairobi City County government Inspectorate and Enforcement officers until further notice. Many suspects are held in county vehicles for long periods of time before arraignment, and the environment violates WHO guidelines on exposure to Covid-19 (the disease caused by the virus),” read his letter to acting county secretary and head of public service Justus Kathenge.

This city council askaris (Kanjo) are best known for terrorising hawkers and motorists in the CBD, slapping them with heavy fines or demanding expensive bribes. Henceforth, hawkers in CBD will now be all over to make a fortune off this temporary victory.

However, Sonko noted that his office shall remain vigilant and keep an eye on the public to ensure that the corporate in this big fight against COVID 19.