Many Nairobi residents have expressed anger after videos emerged showing Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria stopping pedestrians who crossed Mombasa Road instead of using the footbridge near Nyayo Stadium.
Instead of simply warning them or handing them over to the relevant authorities, the pedestrians were reportedly given two options.
They could either face arrest and appear in court or clean garbage that had been dumped along the roadside and inside drainage channels.
The videos quickly spread across social media, triggering a heated public debate. They show several people, including men dressed in office clothes and elderly pedestrians, bending over dirty drains to collect plastic bottles, papers and other waste. What disturbed many Kenyans most was that those carrying out the work appeared to have no gloves, masks or any protective clothing.
They were handling dirty waste with their bare hands while being filmed.Many people agree that crossing a busy highway instead of using a footbridge is dangerous.
It puts lives at risk and can easily lead to fatal accidents. Footbridges are built to improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists. However, many have questioned whether forcing people to clean filthy drains without protective equipment is an appropriate response to such an offence.
The incident has also raised legal questions. Geoffrey Mosiria serves under Nairobi County in the citizen engagement and customer service department.
His office mainly deals with public complaints, customer service and environmental matters. Critics argue that this role does not automatically give him the authority to create punishments for traffic-related offences or require members of the public to perform roadside community service.
Others have questioned whether such action respects the dignity and rights of those involved. Nairobi’s drainage systems often contain sewage, dirty water, sharp objects and other hazardous materials. Health experts generally recommend using protective gear when handling waste to reduce the risk of infections and injuries.
Without gloves, boots or masks, those ordered to clean the drains could have been exposed to unnecessary health risks.This is not the first time Mosiria has attracted public attention through his enforcement style.
Over the years, he has built a strong social media following by posting videos of crackdowns on illegal dumping, noisy entertainment spots and businesses accused of violating county regulations. Supporters argue that his hands-on approach has helped restore order in areas where enforcement had previously been weak.
They believe his public actions discourage people from breaking the law.However, critics say the approach sometimes places more focus on creating viral online content than addressing problems through established legal procedures.
They argue that long-term solutions require stronger waste management systems, regular garbage collection, public education and consistent enforcement against those who illegally dump waste. According to them, making pedestrians clean dirty drains in front of cameras does little to solve the bigger problem.
Questions have also been raised about fairness. Some Kenyans have asked whether every person found crossing the road illegally would receive the same treatment or whether only those who happened to be stopped during the operation were punished.
Others believe that public officers should apply the law consistently and avoid actions that may appear to embarrass or humiliate members of the public.
Mosiria later explained that those stopped were given the choice between being arrested or carrying out community service after risking their lives by crossing the busy highway.
While some people accepted that explanation, others maintained that community service is normally ordered through the courts after due legal process.
They also pointed out that even where community service is lawful, people handling waste should be provided with appropriate protective equipment.
There is little disagreement that Nairobi continues to struggle with illegal dumping, poor waste disposal and unsafe road crossing. These challenges require firm action from both government agencies and the public.
At the same time, enforcement measures are expected to remain within the law while protecting the health, safety and dignity of everyone involved.
The incident near Nyayo Stadium has therefore sparked a wider conversation about the balance between enforcing public order and respecting individual rights. While road safety remains an important priority, many believe the methods used to enforce the law should be fair, lawful and humane.
