Beasts of Nairobi: ‘Kanjo’ Men Exposed for Demanding Sex for Hawking Space

“Sleep with us or lose your merchandise”: Female hawkers reveal shocking abuse by city inspectorate officers

Female street vendors in Nairobi’s Central Business District have come forward with disturbing allegations of systematic sexual harassment and extortion by members of the city inspectorate, commonly known as “kanjos.”

In explosive testimony before the Nairobi County Assembly, several women described a predatory system where officers routinely demand sexual favors in exchange for allowing them to operate their businesses without interference.

“I have experienced it personally,” said Jane (name changed to protect her identity), who bravely testified before Members of County Assembly. “My colleagues have also been told to sleep with these officers to be allowed to hawk without interference.”

According to Jane, the officers don’t make conventional advances. “They don’t court us or make overt advances. They simply expect us to obey,” she revealed, identifying one of the alleged perpetrators by his street name “Brown.”

Jane described how her refusal to comply with sexual demands and bribery requests led to violent retribution.

After threatening to expose the officers involved, she was subjected to escalating harassment.

“They returned, took my merchandise, assaulted me, and dragged me on the ground,” she recounted. “Their leader called me a prostitute and declared I would not be allowed to sell there again.”

The assault left Jane with severe injuries requiring hospitalization and the use of a spinal belt. Despite doctors advising her to limit movement, she continues her fight for justice while struggling financially.

“I’m bedridden. I can’t take my children to school. I have bills to pay and I’m surviving on loans from friends,” she explained. “I just want justice and to get my items back so I can earn a living.”

“Pay or sleep with them”: A widespread pattern of abuse

Another hawker, identified only as Damaris, confirmed that such harassment is commonplace in Nairobi’s streets, telling reporters: “This is nothing new. You either pay a weekly bribe or sleep with one of them.”

She declined to provide further details or her full name, citing concerns for her personal safety in a system where retaliation appears to be common.

Johnson Sakaja.

The allegations come despite Governor Johnson Sakaja’s reshuffling of the Inspectorate Department five months ago following mounting complaints of harassment.

Former Chief Officer for Security and Compliance, Tony Kimani, was transferred to the Customer Care docket, while Eva Wangechi Wairiuko was appointed Acting Chief Officer of the Inspectorate.

However, both Wairiuko and the Director of City Inspectorate, Benjamin Omondi, failed to appear before the County Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) despite being summoned to respond to the accusations.

Mugumo-ini MCA and committee chair Jared Akama confirmed an ongoing investigation following Jane’s formal complaint.

Meanwhile, Nairobi CBD MCA Mwaniki Kwenya has submitted a petition citing similar abuses by inspectorate officers.

Kwenya has called for the immediate suspension of the department’s leadership, accusing them of violating the rights of hawkers who pay taxes to the county government.

He also reported being personally harassed while attempting to prevent officers from assaulting traders.

“We will take action,” assured Akama. “The heads of the Inspectorate Department will be summoned to appear next week to respond to these serious allegations.”

As the investigation unfolds, many hawkers continue to work in fear, caught between the need to earn a living and the predatory practices of those tasked with maintaining order in Kenya’s capital city.