Crystal Asige seeks answers on harassment of physically challenged vendors in Nairobi
Nominated Senator Ms Crystal Asige is seeking clarification over the reported discrimination and harassment of physically challenged vendors by the Nairobi County inspectorate officers.
The Senator has sought a statement from the Senate’s Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations regarding the recent chaotic incident at Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s office, where hawkers with disabilities camped outside the office for two days.
She stated that the Committee should state why the vendors with disabilities were allegedly removed from the Central Business District (CBD) by Governor Sakaja.
“In the statement, the Committee should explain the rationale behind the harassment and removal of street vendors with disabilities by the County Government of Nairobi from the designated business areas to back streets,” Senator Asige said.
The Senator said the inclusion of hawkers with disabilities in the recent order issued by Governor Sakaja to remove all street vendors from CBD has a negative impact on them, including security, health, and access to some vital services.
Also, the Senator wants the committee to find out if adequate notice of removal was issued to the vendors living with disabilities, and if the same step should be expected in other Counties.
“State how many public participation sessions were undertaken involving street vendors with disabilities on the issue pertaining to their removal from Nairobi CBD.”
Also, the Committee is expected to state the events and reasons that led the security officers to lob teargas at vendors with disabilities.
Last week, the Senator joined hawkers in peaceful demonstrations outside the office of the Governor.
According to the statement that was issued recently by Nairobi Acting County Secretary Mr Patrick Analo, hawkers are only allowed in Nairobi streets from 4 pm to 10pm but are not allowed to trade on the walkways and carriageways.
The Governor said the move was aimed at bringing order and sanity within the capital.
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