Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja now wants county enforcement officers (Kanjo) to arrest the people who decide to record them when making arrests.
Speaking on Monday, Sakaja said that while the days of Kanjo's engaging in running battles with hawkers in the city are long gone, there are people who still want to sensationalise arrests.
He said that this has been largely aided by social media users who use their phones to record the arrests.
The Nairobi governor explained that during arrests, some hawkers decide throw the goods they sell and this is what those who record capture.
"Zile siku Kanjo walikuwa wanafukuzana na hawkers kukimbia town siku nzima has it ever happened? No. There are no running battles, there are none. But a few people, because they are looking for clout, they want to sensationalise things. You arrest someone he or she throws their things and because of social media people come to record that they have been arrested," Sakaja said.
He went on to state the arrests are there to maintain order in the city of Nairobi.
He also directed the Kanjo askaris to also arrest individuals who will try to obstruct them from maintaining law and order by recording them.
Sakaja said such acts amount to obstruction of justice.
"Kwani mtu akishikwa anafaa aimbiwe wimbo? Order must be maintained. We want a city of order na hao watu wa kurecord shika hao pia. That is obstruction of enforcement of justice. What you are doing is needed let no one despise you at all."
Even with his directive, the governor admitted that while there might be a few Kanjo officers who have tarnished their name, most of the county askaris do what is needed of them.
Sakaja also assured Kanjo that they have his full support to discharge their duties, provided they are doing what is right.
"There might be one or two elements giving Kanjo a bad name but if you know you are doing the right thing and your conscience is clear, know that governor is behind you."
