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In response to a video capturing the plea of a peanut hawker facing Nairobi County government askaris, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development, Susan Auma Mang'eni, has called for action.
The footage, depicting the hawker's desperate plea as his peanuts lay scattered on the ground, has evoked widespread anger, with many accusing the authorities of harassment.
Expressing concern for the plight of the struggling hawker, PS Susan Auma Mang'eni has implored fellow citizens for assistance in locating the individual whose livelihood has been adversely impacted.
In a direct address to the County Government of Nairobi, under the leadership of Governor Sakaja Johnson, Mang'eni urged for the formalization and integration of micro and small enterprises.
She emphasized the need for consideration of informal traders, stressing the need to preserve and nurture these enterprises for the collective benefit of Nairobi.
Public Outcry Over Harassment Incidents
The incident comes in the wake of several reports of harassment and assault on traders by Nairobi City County government askaris, sparking public outrage and condemnation from Kenyans.
In October, a crackdown on street food hawkers resulted in destruction, leaving smokie-mayai vendors' trollies vandalized on the streets.
On November 15, 2023, hawkers with disabilities in Nairobi took a stand against the persistent harassment by county askaris.
Sleeping outside Governor Johnson Sakaja's office, the men and women braved the chilly evening weather to express their frustrations.
Earlier, nominated senator Crystal Asige led an emotional protest against the Nairobi county government's decision to categorize them as hawkers and remove them from the Central Business District (CBD).
The unfolding events underscore a growing concern over the treatment of micro-entrepreneurs in Nairobi, prompting calls for comprehensive reforms to ensure the protection and support of small businesses in the city.