Nairobi Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria is facing backlash for calling a man living by the roadside mad.
Mosiria, while doing rounds around the Galleria Roundabout confronted the man who had put up a shanty along the road.
“My name is Mosiria and I am in charge of the environment in Nairobi I am here with my officers to take stern action on you for putting a structure along the road,” stated Mosiria.
Why Mosiria called a man ‘Mad’
The man responded to Mosiria in a manner that was not coherent. Mosiria retaliated stating that the man was either mad or pretending to be mad and should be taken to the Mathari Mental Hospital.
Kenyans online have since called out the County Officer terming him as insensitive. Some stated that the man needed care and support as opposed to harassment.
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“Mathari is a hospital like any other. If and in case the person needs care, it should be put in a way that it does not spread the stigma associated with mental illnesses,” stated Nyanchoka
“So, you meet someone for the first day, and by a single look, you declare him mentally sick? You are transforming from an “environment crusadist” to a psychiatrist with a magic wand? Wow,” stated an X user identified as Schools Scandals.
“Respect people with mental illness. It can be anybody including you. Let’s distinguish hawkers from mentally disturbed people. That man needs psychosocial support, not harassment,” Makau Muli on X stated.
Government should provide solution
Other users urged the county boss to give solutions for such people who are homeless.
“You should be sued for making someone suffering from an inferiority complex feel worse instead of being helped psychologically. How do u tell such a person tutakupeleka mathare, then adding mwendazimu Infront of it ?” posed Adhan Maahir.
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“If you look keenly, you will find that the homeless people clean the area daily. They are not the bigger problem. And now that we are here, they should not find solutions without the help of the government. Please organize shelter for them,” added Jacky Kosgei.
Geoffrey stated that he had visited the area following an outcry by activist Boniface Mwangi over illegal structures and dumping at the Galleria Roundabout. He vowed to remove the illegal structures.
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