The Nairobi County Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee has voiced concerns after it emerged that more than 700 inspectorate recruits who are yet to graduate have been patrolling Nairobi’s streets, leading to complaints from traders about mistreatment. 

According to the committee, traders have reported that the recruits, who are not in uniform, have been harassing individuals caught violating city by-laws, making it difficult to differentiate them from criminals. 

Committee chairman Jared Akama confirmed receiving multiple grievances from traders, which prompted a session with security and compliance heads to address the allegations. 

Practical experience  

Acting Head of the Inspectorate Department, Eva Wangechi Wairiuko, acknowledged that the recruits had not graduated but were deployed as interns to gain practical experience. 

“We expose the recruits in all the areas of our jurisdiction — general duties, traffic duties, and in all the duties that we have. We expose them so that they can acquire knowledge in specific areas,” Wairiuko said. 

The situation became more alarming when it was revealed that the recruits, who were supposed to graduate in July last year, had not done so due to budget constraints. 

The planned graduation ceremony was postponed, and a new date is yet to be announced. 

Wairiuko said that uniform shortages were among the issues delaying their graduation, something the county government was aware of. 

Recruits’ safety 

Last week it emerged that about Sh20 million that was allocated for the inspectorate uniforms has been diverted to other areas, including paying lawyers, rather than fulfilling the intended purpose. 

The funds were part of a budget allocation to ensure that new recruits graduate, but the failure to procure uniforms has left them unable to complete their training. 

The committee’s concerns deepened when Kiamaiko MCA Joseph Ndung’u highlighted the potential danger to the recruits’ safety, as they were operating without insurance coverage and without having taken an official oath of office.