>> CITY COUNCIL PATROL TROOPS>>> Are they going rogue?

They have been tasked with ensuring and maintaining sanity in our city… but whenever they are around, we never seem to get the point… why?!

I am not sure if it has something to do with the way they carry out themselves or if the problem lies with the public… that I leave, for you to decide.

I always like using the City of Nairobi as my point of reference because every time I walk through its streets I can’t help but notice one or two odd activities taking place…

Picture this: A busy day it is in Nairobi town; it’s business as usual and though illegal, Hawkers have displayed their goods all over the streets all in one mission… “a chase for the shilling!” Just then… one of the hawkers is heard shouting ‘Kanjo!’ and before you know it everyone has taken to their heels struggling to get away from one common enemy!

‘Kanjo?!’ who are they and why do they seem to have this effect on people? It is very likely that you will always hear small-scale business owners mentioning this name every now and then. Apparently that name has always been mentioned for all the wrong reasons.

Those new to this whole experience might be wondering who I am referring to: these are the Nairobi City Council Askaris… they are mostly seen in yellow overalls with the CCN badge on it. Whenever their presence is witnessed around the city, probably on a lawbreakers’ hunt; people never seem to be at ease at all even when on the right side of the law.

They have been known to attack when least expected and during these times, anyone even passers-by would easily fall prey to their actions. This just explains why these askaris send waves of fear to city dwellers and business owners whenever they are around. I am not shocked at the fact that some people would rather deal with the common policeman/woman as opposed to a city council askari. I think the problem is not with people being caught on the wrong side of the law or not; but there is just something wrong with the way these askaris handle people who they claim to have broken the law.

I have never had any personal experience with them, but some of my friends have; and trust me you wouldn’t like the experience at all. They rarely take any explanations from people and if caught in any situation that irritates them, you would be roughly dragged away into their pick-up vans.

Have you ever asked yourself where these alleged lawbreakers squeezed in those old pick-up vans are usually taken? You must have guessed the police station…right? Think critically... it has been alleged that most of them are usually freed before facing the law… so what happens en route to the ‘police station?’

Is it a question of ethical standards gone down? If you thought the city council askaris are the only ones to be blamed for all these… take a second read!

                                                       


 Written by:

     Dorcas Waringa

        July 7th, 2012