- A group of Nairobi county soldiers had to flee after a group of youths attacked them during an operation in the city area
- The video, which went viral online, showed officers dragging a man away in a coat before riots broke out as youths attacked him, shouting and throwing stones.
- The enforcement team was clearing an illegal building blocking a public road when the dispute turned violent
- The county’s chief environmental officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, condemned the attack as barbaric and vowed that all those responsible for the attack would be prosecuted.
A group of Nairobi county law enforcement officers, popularly known as the county police, had to run for their lives after a group of youths attacked them.
Source: Twitter
The violent incident, captured on viral video, took place in one of the city’s residential areas, sparking a debate about law enforcement, impunity, and public hostility against them.
In a nearly one-minute video clip circulating online, several officers, known as kanjos, are seen dragging a man in a brown coat while a woman in a black spider pleads to let him go.
Moments later, the situation turns violent as a group of youths rush at the officers, shouting and throwing objects.
Officers try to stop, but the conflict escalates.
A man is seen running with a large stone, which he throws at an officer, missing his head.
In the background, a woman’s voice, presumably recording the chaos, can be heard urging others to help the man be contained.
Within seconds, the soldiers return as the group of youths become more violent.
Another part of the video shows a man in a coat trying to destroy an officer’s car, hitting it with a piece of wood.
The officers, outnumbered, eventually left, leaving the area to avoid further harm.
What did Nairobi county officials come to do at the scene?
According to the Nairobi county government, the officers had been sent to clear an illegal building that was reportedly blocking a public road.
The demolition was part of the county’s ongoing efforts to restore public spaces and improve urban stability.
However, the operation met with strong opposition from local youths, who were allegedly motivated to stop the enforcement team.
By the time help arrived, several officers had already sustained injuries.
Nairobi county chief environmental officer Geoffrey Mosiria confirmed the attack, condemning the incident as a direct attack on legitimate authorities.
He said four officers were hospitalized with serious head injuries after being beaten by what he called motivated thugs.
“It is the highest level of indifference for anyone to attack Nairobi county government officials while they are carrying out their duties legally. Earlier today, our officials who went to remove an illegal building that was blocking a public road were severely attacked and beaten. This brutal act is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Mosiria said in a statement.
What steps will be taken after the attack on the county police?
He further said that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the brutal attack.
“Let it be clear that attacking county officers on duty is a serious offense, and we will ensure that those who instigated, aided, or participated in this attack are held fully accountable before the law. We will not allow a few lawless individuals to intimidate or harm officers,” he said.
Mosiria also asked residents to cooperate with county officials instead of confronting them when they are at work.
Source: Facebook
He reminded the public that enforcement teams respond to legitimate complaints made by Nairobi residents and work to maintain peace and security across the city.
“Whenever we respond to complaints from the public, the same public should not turn to the officers tasked with protecting and serving them. We cannot live in a county where everyone believes the law should change according to their wishes,” he said.
Why did Nairobi businessmen attack Kanjo?
Elsewhere, Nairobi residents confronted county enforcement officers after attempts to seize plywood and other items from a building materials business led to violent clashes.
The raid angered the locals who felt that the act threatened their lives due to economic difficulties.
A resident grabbed the seized goods, causing a crowd to surround the officers.
Some had hammers, others shouted about the struggles of everyday life. Tensions escalated, forcing the officers to retreat to their vehicle under pressure.
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