Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja now says there is no problem with recording city enforcement officers (kanjos) during arrests, days after ordering the arrests of Kenyans filming the officers during arrests.
In his speech during the State of Nairobi address to the Nairobi County Assembly, Sakaja said filming the officers would increase accountability.
Sakaja says the county is in the process of procuring body cameras for the officers to ensure they are accountable during their line of work. He however warned that those who obstruct the officers from doing their work will be dealt with.
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"We have had unfortunate incidences where some of our officers have been attacked in the line of duty. This is unacceptable. We will not tolerate this. We must let our enforcement officers do their work. Obstruction of government officers fulfilling their mandate is a crime punishable by law and will be dealt with firmly," Sakaja stated.
"To set the records straight, and to be clear, there is no problem whatsoever in recording officers as they perform their duties. If anything, it leads to increased accountability. You can even shoot a movie if you want. What we will not accept is obstructing them or inciting the public to turn against them as they perform their duties."
According to Sakaja, the clips recorded by Nairobians and posted on social media do not tell the whole story about enforcement officers, leading to biased perceptions.
'Part of the proposals we have is to introduce the use of body cameras on our officers so that the whole story can always be seen. When somebody takes a half a minute clip and blasts it on social media always half of the story is told. Let us have the full story," Sakaja added.
Sakaja's order to kanjos
Sakaja's turnaround comes days after he ordered kanjos to arrest Kenyans recording them, terming the act as an obstruction to justice.
Addressing the officers on Sunday, March 31, 2024, Sakaja termed those filming them as obstruction to the enforcement of justice.
"A few people are looking for clout and sensationalizing things. You arrest someone and they scatter their goodies. Does it mean offenders should be sang a song? Order must be maintained. Also, arrest those recording. That is obstruction of enforcement of justice. Do your work. Do the right thing. Have you ever seen them record the police?" Sakaja posed.
He however admitted that there are a few kanjos meting injustice against Nairobians, promising support for those doing the right thing.
"There might be one or two elements giving kanjo a bad name but if you know you are doing the right thing and your conscience is clear, know that governor is behind you," he added.
Several small-scale traders in the city have been counting losses lately following arrests by kanjos, who scatter their goods and even sometimes destroy them.
