Hawkers in Thika Town have decried harassment by county government askaris.
The hawkers who are now threatening to demonstrate, if the vice does not stop, claimed that the askaris are fond of soliciting bribes from them failure to which they are meted with brutality.
"The askaris seem to be borrowing a leaf from their Nairobi County counterparts. Nowadays they have become very violent and unreasonable unless you bribe them,” said Francis Mwangi, a hawker.
Speaking on Thursday in Thika Town, the hawkers claimed that the askaris accuse them of petty things and threaten to take them to the county court.
"When they need something from you, they will accuse you of anything and threaten you with heavy fines at the council court,” said Mary Wanjiku, a hawker.
Alfred Wanyoike, Thika District Business Association (TDBA) secretary general, speaking on phone, said that they will be raising the matter with the county authorities.
"We are aware of the matter and we will raise it with the relevant county government authority soon,” he said.
The sub-county administrator could not be reached for comment.