• He said the vehicles are unroadworthy and an embarrassment to Nairobi, which is the county that gets the highest equitable share.
•“If elected, I will replace the vehicles with proper inspectorate vehicles which will be used by the department.”
Nairobi Senator, Johnson Sakaja has vowed to get rid of old, rusty and unroadworthy Kanjo (County constables) vehicles if elected governor.
He said the vehicles are unroadworthy and an embarrassment to Nairobi, which is the county that gets the highest equitable share.
“We are in 2022 but the inspectorate department are patrolling around the city in old, rusty vehicles which can even infect the people being carried with diseases if they are cut,” Sakaja said.
“If elected, I will replace the vehicles with proper inspectorate vehicles which will be used by the department.”
The officers have over the years been associated with old, rusty, rugged, frail and rickety vehicles that they use to patrol around the Central Business District (CBD).
Visually, the vehicles have faded paint with the Nairobi City County Inspectorate and Enforcement badge quite visible, windows are ‘secured’ with old and rusted wire mesh.
The vehicles mainly offer rides to unwilling passengers like hawkers and city by-laws breakers who end up being arrested.
The sight of any of these hoary vehicles sends hawkers scampering with their wares, avoiding the nightmare of being bundled into these vehicles, which patrol the capital city looking for their next unwilling passenger.
These Kanjo vehicles rule the roost around the city centre. They can use any lane, move in the wrong direction or on pavements in pursuit of their targets.
They crisscross the CBD - from Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, River Road, Latema Road, Luthuli Avenue, among other streets ready to pounce on their prey.
According to plans highlighted in the Nairobi City County Annual Development Plan 2022-2023, City inspectorate officers will soon start using motorcycles for quick response to emergencies within Nairobi.
This is part of the Sh344 million the County Government of Nairobi is set to spend in this Financial Year to boost the Inspectorate Department.
City Hall will purchase 10 new motorbikes at Sh4 million for the inspectorate officers.
“This is for effective and efficient service delivery that will promote response and timely service," reads the plan in part.
In addition to that, the department will also spend Sh40 million to purchase five customised motor vehicles to promote quick and timely services.