City askaris charged with robbing hawkers during raids
Seven city askaris have been charged in court with robbery with violence after they were arrested on Sunday.
The askaris were accused of soliciting bribes from hawkers and using crude weapons found in their vehicles during operations.
John Muchoki, Maurice Mwonga, David Mwangi and Wabwoba Maruti were accused of robbing Hussein Bashir Saney in Eastleigh of his wares valued at sh100,000 while armed with panga, rungus and metal bars.
The four were also charged with robbing Stephen Maina Muthumbi at the same area of wares valued at sh15,800.
ANOTHER LOCATION
The city askaris are said to have then moved to another location within Eastleigh, where they robbed William Odongo of his wares worth sh150,000 and Mr Benson Macharia of assorted goods worth sh20,000.
Three other city askaris patrolling along Forest Lane, in Ngara, were also charged with similar charges.
Philemon Kimei, Peter Gitau and Bernard Kogi were charged with violently robbing Cyrus Maingi of sh600 shillings October 29 while armed.
The city askaris had seized the wares during raids to remove hawkers from undesignated areas.
They were were arraigned at Milimani law courts and released on cash bail of sh100,000 shillings each and a bond of sh300,000. Hearing was set for November 30.
However, the Kenya County Government Workers Union has demanded for the release of the city askaris.
The union’s Nairobi branch secretary Benson Olianga claimed Governor Mike Sonko had ordered for the arrest of the seven askaris.
HARASSING STAFF
“The governor should stop harassing staff. We demand the immediate release of officers who on Sunday were arrested in possession of crude weapons,”said Mr Olinga.
Mr Olianga argued that the governor should have investigated if the crude weapons were confiscated from the hawkers.
“The governor is jeopardizing his effort to clean up the city in his bid to raise his profile by clashing with the same officers who are helping him,”said Mr Olianga.