Principal Secretary for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Susan Mang’eni has responded to a video where Nairobi Kanjos were seen harassing a groundnut vendor.
In a statement, Mang’eni asked for assistance to trace the vendor who appeared troubled in the video with the groundnuts, known as njugu spilled on the road.
At the time, a female county askari was seen holding part of the vendor’s bucket as the young man uncontrollably broke into tears.
PS Mang’eni empathized with the man noting that his livelihood was detrimentally impacted from the incident.
Further, she urged Governor Johnson Sakaja to consider formalizing MSMEs in the city by creating secure operational environments.
In the statement, Mang’eni argued that ending hawking in the streets of Nairobi CBD would not enhance Nairobi’s affluence.
Instead, the PS stated that effective leadership necessitates provision of guidance and viable alternatives as guided by the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation plan.
“It is imperative to preserve and nurture these enterprises, recognizing that their demise does not enhance Nairobi’s affluence and prosperity,” PS ,Mang’eni noted.
Also Read: David Ndii Scolds Sakaja After Kanjo Raid on Smokie Vendors
“Let us champion the significance of small businesses in the pursuit of delivering the plan,” she added.
The video had elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans who saw the video prior the PS’ response.
But cases of county enforcement officers harassing street vendors are not new in Nairobi CBD.
The incident captured in the video came on the back of a move by Nairobi County to ban hawking in Nairobi CBD.
Kanjos Crackdowns Intensify in CBD
Whilst the move was welcomed by some players in the city with relief, hundreds of vendors who depended on street hawking saw their sources of livelihood affected.
County inspectorate officers were in October put in the spotlight after yet another incident where they raided smokie vendors in the CBD.
The crackdown left the vendors counting losses as their stock was left scattered on the streets and their trollies impounded.
Hours later, Nairobi Governor Sakaja apologized and promised to compensate the affected vendors.
Also Read: Graduate Hawker Begs for a Job After Kanjo Kicked Him Out of CBD
The county askari’s approach in dealing with vendors caught the attention of Kenyans from various quarters who questioned the government’s commitment to promoting small businesses as promised in the campaigns.
David Ndii, the Chairperson of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors was among the notable persons who commented, calling for a change in the county’s approach.
In a statement, Ndii asked Sakaja to instead consider making the streets of Nairobi CBD more pedestrian friendly and create spaces for the vendors to operate.
