Sakaja orders QR-coded IDs for 'Kanjos' in bid to weed out impersonators

 

City Hall enforcement officers during a previous operation. [File, Standard]

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered the introduction of special identification cards for county officers involved in enforcement operations, in a move aimed at rooting out individuals impersonating City Hall officials and harassing residents and business owners.

Sakaja directed the Receiver of Revenue and the six Borough Managers under the Department of Boroughs, Administration and Personnel to implement the identification system for officers carrying out enforcement operations, including licensing and other compliance activities.

The governor on Tuesday said the new cards will carry unique identification numbers and QR codes that members of the public can use to verify whether an officer is authorised to conduct county enforcement duties.

“The special staff cards will be for staff in charge of crackdowns on several issues, including licenses, to prevent people from masquerading as City Hall staff and harassing people and business owners,” Sakaja said.

“No one should be harassed or asked for money by someone claiming to be a City County officer. These identification cards will give Nairobians a simple and reliable way of knowing who is authorised to enforce county regulations,” he said.

City Hall enforcement officers during a previous operation. [File, Standard]

Sakaja said the initiative would also strengthen accountability among county enforcement officers and give residents greater confidence when interacting with City Hall officials.

“We are putting accountability at the centre of enforcement. Every officer going out to enforce county laws must be identifiable, and residents must have the ability to verify that officer before engaging with them,” he said.

The directive comes amid concerns over individuals allegedly posing as county officers to demand payments, intimidate traders or threaten businesses during enforcement exercises.

The county government is expected to provide further details on how residents will scan the QR codes or use the identification numbers to verify officers.

Sakaja says the card should be ready in a month, and urged traders and residents to confirm the identity of county officers before complying with enforcement demands and to report suspected cases of impersonation to the relevant authorities.