Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja has apologized to Nairobi food vendors who were mistreated by Kanjos on Wednesday.

Via a  message on X, Sakaja expressed his disappointment after the smokie-mayai vendors were harassed and ordered the immediate release of items that the county askaris seized.

“The happening in the CBD earlier Wednesday were most unfortunate. This is not the way to treat Nairobians as we have continually implored our officers to treat Nairobians with dignity. We have cordial relations with informal traders for a year but lately there have been unfortunate incidences that seek to sabotage that,” Sakaja said.

He added that the affected traders will be compensated with Kshs10,000 each.

“I have ordered the immediate release of all confiscated items, apologized to the traders  and personally compensated each of them to the tune of 10000 shillings each.

“Even if the traders were operating without the required documentation, including a Medical Certificate from Public Health that every food handler must have for the safety of Nairobians, they did not deserve such treatment and we are dealing with this internally,” the county boss further stated.

The happenings in the CBD earlier today were most unfortunate.

This is not the way to treat Nairobians as we have continually implored our officers to treat Nairobians with Dignity.

We have had cordial relations with informal traders for a year but lately there have been… pic.twitter.com/XSWJHQLOS1

— Sakaja Arthur Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) October 18, 2023

Kenyans have however doubted the genuineness of his apology with some noting that the crackdown couldn’t have been executed without his knowledge.

“Hizi PR ndogo ndogo wachana nazo. Kanjo cant act without your orders. Respect the hustlers we know that you grew up in Weetabix and noodles and you completely don’t understand what it is to go without food. This operation took the whole day, why didn’t you stop it in the morning even after you were informed,” Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said..

“It reminds me of how Mavoko Mp has blackmailed his people to demolition with fake apologies. Btw@HEBabuOwino these barbaric acts of Kanjos did not even start today. These scenes began early this month. My heart goes out to those hustlers who are looking for their children’s fees,” commented Alionya Roseline