City introduces new rules to address lawlessness and disorder

The County Government of Nairobi City has announced the formation of a sub-committee that will be tasked with the responsibility to restore order, sanity and law enforcement following the interdiction of six inspectorate officers by Governor Dr. Evans Kidero.

Various city streets have in the past become a buzz with hawkers, matatus and boda boda operators who often flout traffic rules, not forgetting the ever loud music from bars in residential areas. The disruption of law and order in the city is, however, about to change after the formation of the sub-committee.

The sub-committee will be headed by Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke. Other members include Mercy Kamau (County Executive, Public Service Management and Transformation), Dr. Robert Ayisi (County Secretary), Francis Munyambu (Chief Officer, enforcement), Dr. John Ntoti (Chief Officer, Sub County administration).

The formation of the sub-committee follows the interdiction of six Nairobi City Council Government Inspectorate Officers by Governor Kidero on allegations that they were soliciting for bribes and abetting lawlessness, disorder, wanton garbage, illegal use of parking bays by matatus, continued obstruction by boda boda riders and hawkers in the Central Business District.

The sub-committee has resolved that all county staff responsible for enforcement will be assigned roles to perform, failure to which they will be suspended and termination process initiated.

Among other things that the subcommittee resolved include: Deployment of 700 enforcement officers to ensure all illegal structures are brought down with six hundred new inspectorate officers approved and expected to commence shortly; Sub County administrators  have also been assigned duties to ensure all illegal structures, car washes and loud music in estates is dealt with; Construction of a Ksh 200 million rehabilitation centre in Ruai to host 3,000 street children; Boda bodas/matatus that overlap and take more than four minutes in terminuses be held and charged.

Residents have also been warned against buying wares from hawkers as they will be arrested and fined.

By Leah Ngari