Susan Auma, Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, has asked Kenyans to assist her in locating a street vendor whose stock was destroyed by Nairobi County askaris, also known as kanjos.
On Wednesday, the PS condemned the incident and urged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to launch a crackdown to root out rogue askaris.
“Dear compatriots, I implore your assistance in locating this hustler whose endeavors and livelihoods have been detrimentally impacted,” she stated.
The PS also implored Sakaja to integrate and formalise micro and small enterprises and secure operational zones for them.
According to PS Auma, creating a conducive environment for SMEs was key to nurturing young entrepreneurs for the country’s good.
“Effective leadership necessitates the provision of guidance and viable alternatives. Let us champion the significance of small businesses in pursuit of delivering the plan,” she added.
The undated video shows the young man, who appears to be in his late teens, burying his face in a woman’s clothing as he cries and gesticulates, appearing to silently protest mistreatment by Nairobi ‘Kanjos’ after they confiscated his wares and spilled them across the ground as crowds watched.
The video, which shows a crowd gathering around the distressed boy, has angered many Kenyans online with some even enquiring about the boy’s identity in a bid to help him.
Comedian turned activist Eric Omondi also reached out to the young man who broke down after crossing paths with the kanjos.
“When they destroy, we rebuild. I am looking for this boy. But remember, our time is coming,” Omondi stated.
