Mosiria sounds warning to hawkers after attack on female county officer
Nairobi County Chief Officer of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria has sounded a warning to all hawkers after one of the female city inspectorates, popularly known as Kanjo, was assaulted while discharging her duties.
Mosiria, in a statement shared via his official social media accounts on the night of Tuesday, April 22, 2025, said that the county officer was attacked by a section of hawkers when she asked them to vacate a public walkway to allow free movement for pedestrians.
He regretted the incident, noting that it will go unpunished.
“It is deeply unfortunate and completely unacceptable that a hawker chose to assault a county officer (lady county Askari) who was simply discharging her lawful duties, politely asking them to vacate a public walkway to allow free movement for pedestrians. This is an act of impunity of the highest order, and we will not allow it to go unpunished. We will not be cowed. Order must be maintained, and the rule of law must prevail,” Mosiria stated.
Mosiria went ahead to warn the hawkers that any attack on any county officer would be treated as an attack on the entire county staff fraternity. He further warned that the city county will be responding firmly and decisively to such incidents.
“Let it be clear: this officer is someone’s daughter, someone’s mother, and a public servant committed to serving the people of Nairobi. Any attack on one county officer is an attack on the entire county staff fraternity, and we will respond firmly and decisively,” Mosiria warned.
Mosiria on hawkers’ conduct
He also pointed out that the hawkers in Nairobi do not pay any fees to the county government and that Governor Johnson Sakaja had only allowed them to operate from designated back lanes to promote inclusive economic opportunity, but some had started abusing the privilege by encroaching on walkways, blocking pedestrians, and, worse, resorting to violence when asked to comply with the law.
“Hawkers in Nairobi do not pay any fees to the county government. In good faith, His Excellency the Governor has allowed them to operate from designated back lanes to promote inclusive economic opportunity. However, some are now abusing this privilege by encroaching on walkways, blocking pedestrians, and, worse, resorting to violence when asked to comply with the law,” Mosiria stated.
“We will not tolerate lawlessness. The individuals involved in this attack will be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We are also reviewing enforcement protocols to ensure the safety and dignity of all our officers moving forward.”
