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.