Sakaja condemns 'destructive' crackdown by inspectorate officers

By Peter Ochieng

Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja has condemned a crackdown by inspectorate officers, which targetted 'smokie-mayai' traders in the Capital county.

The crackdown saw the traders count loses as their wares were either destroyed or confiscated by the officers.

Sakaja, serving his first term in office said the traders were treated in an inhumane manner.

"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," he said.

He warned that officers involved in the incident are in for trouble.

"We will take disciplinary action," said the former Senator. Sakaja added that the affected traders have recieved an apology and personal compensation of Sh10, 000 each from him.

"I have ordered the immediate release of all confiscated items, apologized to the traders and personally compensated each of them to the tune of 10,000 shillings each."

He said the traders deserved better treatment, even if they were on the wrong.

"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."

Responding to Sakaja's post on X, Embakasi Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino blamed the county boss for the incident, adding that the officers could not have acted without his knowledge.

"Hizi PR ndogo ndogo wachana nazo. Kanjo can’t act without your orders. Respect the hustlers, we know that you grew up in weetabix and noodles and you completely don’t understand what it is to go without food.This operation took the whole day, why din’t you stop it in the morning even after you were informed?"

The second term MP has already declared his bid for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027.