County officers have been accused of soliciting bribes during patrols in the city.
Hawkers, who are the main victims, say the askaris can arrest and release a person even up to three times a day depending on how you “feed” the askaris.
But the full force of the law has finally caught up with them.
The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has fined Mr. JOSHUA OKANGA , a Nairobi City County Askari Kshs.
750,000 in default to serve five year imprisonment for soliciting and receiving a bribe, obstruction and concealing of evidence.
Nairobi Hawkers’ Association chairman Waweru Kimani told the Star that ever since hawkers were banned from operating within CBD, it has been a normal daily routine of chase and run between the hawkers and askaris.
“It’s either one is arrested and taken to city Hall Court or one is arrested and kept in the van until they agree to pay some money, or the commodities are carried into the van upon which the trader has to follow up and still pay something small,” Waweru said