Governor Sakaja meets 14-year-old Burundian street vendor after viral video

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday met Ndagire Renova, the 14-year-old Burundian street vendor who made headlines on Tuesday after a video surfaced on social media showing him in tears after his groundnuts were spilled on the ground by city council officials.

In a statement on X following the meeting, Sakaja labelled the incident as unfortunate while at the same time noting that he has made contact with Burundi's Ambassador to Kenya, Ntahonkuriye Emmernece, to ensure that the boy, who says he came to Kenya illegally, is supported accordingly.

"After investigating the unfortunate incident involving Burundian minor Ndagire Renova whose items were spilt yesterday, I met him and later engaged Burundian Ambassador to Kenya to discuss safeguarding the minor," said Sakaja.

The Nairobi Governor added that he similarly engaged the Burundian envoy in order to tackle issues of child trafficking and begging activities involving illegal foreign nationals in the Nairobi CBD.

Nairobi County and Head of Public Service Patrick Analo, in a subsequent statement to newsrooms, shared Sakaja's sentiments while at the same time noting that the city county officials were acting on official orders reached following a consensus between the Governor Sakaja and the leadership of CBD hawkers.

"Earlier in the month, the Governor had brought together the leadership of hawkers, traders, and enforcement officers, where an agreement was reached on the streets where hawkers are allowed to operate from 4pm in the CBD," said Mr. Analo.

“This has been largely complied with to the joy of pedestrians, shop owners and the hawkers themselves. Unfortunately, when Ndagire was caught and the enforcement officer impounded his goods, the minor struggled for the bucket spilling its contents on to the ground after the handle broke.”

Mr. Analo added that this is not the first time the minor has found himself on the wrong end of the county regulations.

“He has been reported to having previously done the same at Afya Centre and outside City Market. A number of hawkers employ this tactic which naturally attracts sympathy and public outrage and prevents their further arrest,” he stated.