Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Monday, April 1, found himself on the receiving end after his remarks asking county enforcement officers to arrest individuals recording videos in their line of duty.
His government has been on the spot over recent incidents where the officers, popularly known as kanjos, were captured in altercations where members of the public with many calling them out over alleged harassment.
On Monday, while speaking during the 50th birthday of Chief Officer -Security and Compliance in Nairobi County, Sakaja asked kanjos to carry out their enforcement duties and shun the videos shared on social media.
In his speech, Sakaja asked the officers to stop at nothing in their mandate and encouraged them to arrest individuals recording them.
“We want a city of order, those people who record videos- arrest them as well,” a firm Governor Sakaja stated.
“A few people because want to sensationalize everything; when you arrest someone, she wants to throw away her belongings,” he said while emphasizing on the importance of the role played by enforcement officers.
His video then went viral on social media with Kenyans criticizing him for encouraging his enforcement officers to arrest citizens filming them.
Activist Boniface Mwangi confronted the Nairobi Governor with a question on what law provision he would use to prosecute members of the public arrested for recording videos.
In his statement, Mwangi termed the remarks by Sakaja ridiculous- adding that the officers should not be afraid of cameras if they are doing the right thing.
“Which law will you use to prosecute citizens for recording county employees?” he posed in a statement.
“If what they’re doing is legal, why can’t citizens record? This very ridiculous, and retrogressive directive, is proof you’re out of touch with reality.”
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Sakaja comes clean on order to arrest obstructors
In his response to Boniface Mwangi’s question, however- Sakaja asserted that he had no problem with anyone recording his officers.
According to him, part of his speech at the function also suggested the introduction of body cams for kanjos.
He however restated his stance that obstructing officers from carrying out their duties was punishable.
“There’s no problem recording. That’s good. Infact if you watch the clip fully, I have suggested having body cams on the officers as well,” he stated.
“What is illegal and punishable by law is obstructing an officer who is performing his/her duties. And that will be punished by law.”
Why Kanjos will wear body cams
In a statement shared on his WhatsApp Channel, the Nairobi Governor further clarified that the proposed body cams will help to ensure the security of enforcement officers while on duty.
Besides, the cameras will help the county government to monitor the interaction between the officers and members of the public- according to Sakaja.
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“The body cameras that we plan to provide to our inspectorate officers, aside from providing a level of security should they be physically threatened or harmed, also provide us with the ability to go back and evaluate the interactions between our officers and City residents,” Governor Sakaja added.
Nairobi County officers have been caught in several altercations with members of the public with recent incidents including one where several kanjos were seen manhandling a woman in an attempt to arrest her.
The kanjos have also been caught on camera destroying stock belonging to street food vendors and other informal traders in the Nairobi CBD to paint the picture of the love-hate relationship between members of the public the enforcers mandated with the role of ensuring order.
