Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Karen Nyamu on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, raised an alarm over the behaviour of city enforcement officers, famously known as kanjos.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the two senators lamented over what they described as the mishandling of hawkers in the central business district (CBD).

While seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, Karen Nyamu claimed that hawkers had been subjected to extortion, sexual abuse, and physical assault at the hands of the enforcement officers.

Karen Nyamu lamented that female hawkers were among those affected by their behaviour.

“I rise to seek a statement from the standing committee on national security, defense, and foreign relations on a matter of countywide concern regarding the ongoing abuses, harassment, and eviction of hawkers in Nairobi Central Business District by the Nairobi City County enforcement officers,” Karen Nyamu’s statement read in part.

“Recent events in the CBD have brought troubling incidents involving county enforcement officers against hawkers; these include physical assault, extortion, and sexual abuse, particularly targeting female hawkers.

“Such acts are not only unethical and unlawful but also violate Articles 28 and 29 of the Constitution,” Nyamu added.

Sifuna calls out Sakaja

On his side, Sifuna, who doubles up as ODM Secretary General, called out Governor Johnson Sakaja for failing to act despite numerous complaints.

He painted a grim picture, revealing that sometimes he finds it difficult to access his office due to constant protests by hawkers.

Sifuna told the senate that Sakaja had promised to train the enforcement officers, but still wondered if they needed training to act humanely.

“Sometimes, even leaving KICC is a problem because hawkers are protesting every day. The inhumane manner in which these kanjos continue to handle the people, we have to call him out,” Sifuna stated.

“It is as if these county council askaris are incorrigible. What training do you need to be humane?”

Other senators also commented on the issue, with a Nandi lawmaker maintaining that Sakaja’s policies were not working. Nonetheless, they called for the implementation of proper policies to allow hawkers to conduct their businesses decently.