Kisumu City Manager defends ‘Kanjo’ recorded dragging car wash guy on the floor

By Peter Ochieng

Kisumu City Manager Michael Abala Wanga has leaped to the defense of county askaris recorded dragging a car wash guy on the floor.

The guy, only identified by name Paul was cornered by three plain clothes askaris and one in uniform for allegedly establish a car was at a non-designated area.

In response, Wanga defended the askaris, stating that Paul had on several occasions been warned against establishing a car wash in the area.

"This is the third raid, and he had been given a warning to leave because he is not allowed to establish a car wash in the place,'' Wanga said, as quoted by a local news outlet.

In a video widely shared online, the Council Askaris are seen dragging Paul on the floor, after the bid to arrest him failed to materialize.

In the melee, Paul’s lower clothes were teared. The askaris left in a huff after members of the public started milling around the area. One of them could be heard condemning the incident.

“Akawo video. Udwa dhi live tee gi ma utimo ni uparo ni ber. Paul kik idhi wee giyech lau,” he said in Dholuo.

It translates to, “I am taking a video; you are going live all of you. You think what you are doing is right. Paul don’t accept to go, let them tear up your clothes.”

“Kitu mnafanya ni mbaya, mnafanya kitu mbaya. Hii ni sheria gani? Mbona mnamrarulia nguo (You are doing a wrong thing. This is not right. Which kind of law is this, why are you tearing up his clothes?),” he added.

The Kanjos left before returning later. They arrested Paul and another person.

It is not the first time Kisumu City Kanjos have been involved in such an incident.

In March 2021, the askaris were filmed dragging a woman on the tarmac in a speeding vehicle.

Beatrice Atieno was left with injuries after the incident that was shared widely on social media.

The matter ‘died a natural death’ after she met Abala Wanga.