Mosiria warns of cartels faking disabilities to swindle Nairobians

Nairobi Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria has raised alarm over a disturbing surge in cases of people faking disabilities to solicit money from unsuspecting members of the public in the capital.

Speaking through his X account on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Mosiria said the scheme is orchestrated by organised cartels who exploit both genuine persons with disabilities and able-bodied individuals including foreign nationals brought into the city for street begging.

Exploitation disguised as need

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“While some individuals are genuinely disabled, they too are being mistreated and exploited,” Mosiria wrote. He shared a video showing a young boy pretending to have a disability while begging, noting the child was part of a larger group being manipulated for financial gain.

“A few individuals use them to make money, and in some cases, they are beaten when they refuse to beg. You will often see them being pushed among people, and when sympathisers give them money, someone else suddenly appears to collect it,” he said.

Mosiria described the racket as a “multimillion-shilling business run by cartels who have no humanity or compassion.” He urged Nairobi residents to report any houses where these individuals are sheltered or details about the people behind the operation.

County vows crackdown

He noted that many of the beggars are dropped at various city spots in the morning and picked up in the evening, further proof of an organised scheme.

“People with disabilities do not deserve the mistreatment and abuse we witness daily on our roads. They deserve dignity, respect, and protection,” he stressed.

The Nairobi Chief Officer for Environment has pledged to intensify surveillance and work with law enforcement to dismantle the networks, while urging the public to support legitimate initiatives aimed at uplifting persons with disabilities.