Credits: © Boniface Mwangi/OSF
Country: Kenya

Joseph Maina Githinji

“I have been a hawker for 8 years. On April 10, 2014, county security officers came to arrest us. Everyone ran away but as I was trying to gather my goods, I was shot. Luckily, there was an army ambulance passing, and they saved my life. I lost sight in my left eye, partial hearing in my left ear and my left arm is severely weakened. I reported it to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the Independent Medical Legal Unit, the Ombudsman and the Director of Public Prosecutions but no action has been taken. Even with my disability, the Askaris give me no peace – I am regularly arrested. I pay bribes between Sh500 and SH1,000 (US$5-10). Arrested hawkers should pay the legal fines to the government not to kangaroo courts.”

Theme:
Petty Offences
Courts Systems
Pre-trial Detention
People Groups:
Informal Workers