Probe hawkers’ deaths, torture claims

Earning a living as a small-scale trader has been criminalised in Nairobi County. Dozens of hawkers are healing serious wounds inflicted by the so-called county askaris during the numerous crackdowns on illegal traders in the city. From the onset, we state that the hawkers menace must be addressed urgently, but it must be done with decorum and respect for human rights.

And although Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, has promised to punish any of his officers found guilty of harassing and even killing hawkers, the warning has come a little too late. County askaris have been captured on camera attacking hawkers with all manner of crude weapons including iron bars.

But this kind of treatment has not started with Dr Kidero’s tenure. Many hawkers have harrowing stories of their experience under the hands of county askaris, who behave more like goons. They have, for years, mishandled young men and women and the old alike, trying to sell their wares on Nairobi streets. Hawkers in all manner of places, hinder realistic growth. It is a distraction to organised trading and definitely a put off for tourists. That is why we commend the Government for designating places like Muthurwa Market where hawkers can do their business. The city cannot afford hawkers in every corner.

But when county askaris are accused of torturing and killing dozens of hawkers using machetes, knives and iron bars, Dr Kidero and the city inspectorate department have blood on their hands. According to a damning report published elsewhere in this newspaper, county askaris allegedly attacked a hawkers’ leader who died from the injuries. Many hawkers also narrate their ordeal at the hands of the so-called county askaris. They tell of how they were tortured and threatened with death by the officers meant to maintain law and order in the city. Of which we ask: In whose interests do such officers work? It is one thing to maintain order and another bordering on anarchy.

Other hawkers tell of how their livelihoods have been shattered after the so-called askaris confiscate their whole trade wares, some worth thousands of shillings, and they never get to recover them. Such traders are left with no recourse and when they try to recover their items, they are intimidated with even death threats. This way, families have been rendered hopeless without any source of income, which only fuels crime and other vices.

No lesser person than Dr Kidero has admitted that extortion is also rife among rogue askaris. They have been asking for bribes from street vendors on a daily basis. This indicts the city inspectorate department, which must kick out corrupt officers urgently.

The Governor has also said there are gangs extorting hawkers. Why hasn’t the county government got the root bottom of such an extortion ring? Why, for instance, shouldn’t all askaris don proper uniforms and identification while on duty? The county government must deliver orderliness and crucial services, but not using crude and illegal measures. By having gang-like askaris, the county government comes off as uncaring and completely disconnected from the ordinary city residents.

The ugly scenes during hawkers’ evictions only give a negative perception to rate payers. Unnecessary use of force only hardens the desperate street vendors. Governor Kidero must urgently step in to ensure discipline among county officers and then begin a serious campaign among hawkers to sensitise them on the need to have them outside the Central Business District and other undesignated areas.

Engaging the hawkers in running battles will gradually make the city assume a negative reputation both locally and internationally. Finally, the law must be allowed to take its course on the recent killings of hawkers. The Inspector General of the Police, the CID and the Director of Public Prosecutions should act on the numerous complaints filed by individuals and organisations concerning the recent deaths and torture of hawkers. The culpable county askaris must not be allowed to get away with such heinous crimes.