A crackdown on pedestrians near Nyayo Stadium has sparked outrage after Geoffrey Mosiria ordered offenders to collect garbage from dirty drains.
The controversy erupted after videos shared online showed several pedestrians, including elderly men, removing waste from dirty drainage channels by hand after they were stopped for allegedly failing to use a nearby footbridge.
The footage quickly sparked debate, with many Kenyans questioning the legality and humanity of the exercise.
Mosiria said the operation was part of an awareness campaign to educate residents about the dangers of crossing busy roads instead of using designated pedestrian bridges.
He maintained that the exercise was intended to encourage safer road use and help reduce accidents involving pedestrians.
Instead of issuing warnings or handing the offenders over to law enforcement officers for legal action, Mosiria's team reportedly gave those intercepted two choices: appear in court after arrest or participate in cleaning illegally dumped waste around the area.
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In a statement posted on Facebook, Mosiria defended the approach as a safety measure to avoid unnecessary accidents: “Those who knowingly endangered their lives by crossing the highway were offered an opportunity to undertake community service instead of facing prosecution.”
The incident has since generated mixed reactions; critics argue that requiring people to handle garbage without gloves or other protective gear exposed them to health risks and undermined their dignity.
One Instagram user wrote, “Very nice bossy but weka glove its very unhygienic “another user, Murimi Kenzo, wrote “, Hii nayo hapana, it feels like you are belittling them while averting the same purpose of awareness”
Others questioned whether county officials have the legal mandate to impose such punishment without following due legal process.
Supporters, however, say the exercise sent a strong message about the importance of observing traffic rules while contributing to efforts to keep the city clean.
The incident has reignited conversations about how public authorities should enforce safety regulations without compromising human rights or public health.