Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has condemned an attack on City askaris who had gone to inspect an alleged illegal construction site within Nairobi’s South C estate.
Images shared on social media showed the enforcement officers with multiple wounds allegedly inflicted by youths at the site on Sunday.
“The perpetrators of these vile acts must be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I demand immediate justice for the victims,” Alai said in a statement on Monday.
The ward rep claimed some of the officers were sexually assaulted.
He said the construction in question should be suspended pending investigations.
Alai asked Governor Johnson Sakaja to intervene and see to it that the controversy surrounding the property is resolved amicably within the law.
“This incident highlights the urgent need for reform and accountability within Nairobi City County’s governance. I call upon Governor Sakaja to break his silence on this horrific incident and take action to ensure those involved, from the attackers to any complicit officials, face the consequences for their actions,” Alai said.
According to the Nairobi City County Inspectorate Act, 2017, enforcement constables are among other things mandated to do patrols within the Nairobi Central Ward to maintain law and order and to enforce the Nairobi City County Bylaws.
“An inspectorate officer shall obey and execute all lawful orders in respect of the execution of duties which may from time to time receive from his superiors in the Inspectorate,” the law states.
“An Inspectorate officer may, at any reasonable time, enter any place in which the officer believes on reasonable grounds that any person or persons is in any way contravening any county laws,” it adds.
Kenyans on social media condemned the attack on the officers who had gone to inspect the construction site and called for stern action on the perpetrators.
“The culprits need to be locked up immediately. This can easily be argued as attempted murder,” @oyoo_habib said.
“No matter whatever excuse the developer had... brutality is no,” added @mwanganginguli.
However, some like @Hilla254 are unsympathetic to the officers saying their mode of operation leaves a lot to be desired.
“Attacking them isn't fair, pole kwao, however, do you have any idea of how unreasonable these 'city inspectorate' guys are? Sometimes ata parking attendants masquerade as planning department guys kusumbua watu wa mjengo,” he said.
“These county law enforcement officers think that they are above all, their approaxh is always bad and I cant sympathize with them. Let them change their tactics if they want to be heard,” added @petercalvine.
@AlchemistKenya concured with their sentiments saying;
"The enforcement officers often think that force is the only way to achieve their intentions. If professionalism was in place, no one could have been injured.”