The governor of Kenya’s western Kisumu county has suspended local officials who were filmed on Wednesday dragging a fruit vendor along the road.
Local media report that the woman had refused to give a bribe. She was selling oranges and lemons on a pavement in the city where hawking is prohibited.
The woman told journalists that one of the officials seated at the back of the pick-up truck held her hand and refused to let her go as the vehicle sped off.
Uproar in Kisumu as a pick-up truck, belonging to the county government, dragged a hawker on the tarmac for about 500 meters.#TinaKaggia pic.twitter.com/HDFL8a8CSp
— Nation FM (@NationFMKe) March 25, 2021
The driver of the vehicle drove to a nearby police station after a mob gave chase. Police fired tear gas to disperse an angry crowd that gathered at the station.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said he had suspended from duty all officials involved in the incident until investigations are concluded.
While away in Nairobi on official Council of Governors’ meetings, I have been saddened
and shocked by a very unfortunate incident in Kisumu, following the arrest and mishandling of a lady trader by the City's enforcement officers yesterday morning. pic.twitter.com/aRP0BsFAmP— Gov. Anyang' Nyong'o (@AnyangNyongo) March 25, 2021