Residents within the Nakuru Central Business District (CBD) are accusing the recently hired enforcement officers of harassing them over ‘petty offences.’
The residents, a majority who are motorists have expressed displeasure at the manner in which the officers were handling them in the case of a lapse in understanding.
“Some of us are visitors in town so most cases don’t have the normal county parking receipts at our disposal, so why should somebody harass you as if you have refused to buy the ticket?” wondered James Lenangopoi, from Kuresoi South.
He added that he parked near the supermarket for convenience purposes now that he was to do shopping for the daughter then drive off to school.
“What perplexes me is how the young men misuse the authority they have by harassing anybody as if there was no law to be followed,” he said.
On the other hand, Mzee Mwaura blames the whole issue to inefficiency by the county government of not offering enough packing space within the town centre.
“These young men (enforcement officers) are just doing their work, whether we complain or not, the blame is on the physical planners of our town because there is no ample parking for the city dwellers, we visitors and those on transit,” he explained.
He argues that once anybody visits a public facility, it’s upon them to ensure that the county levies are submitted before engaging in personal issues.
An enforcement officer who sought anonymity noted that they are forced to employ force at times because of clients who are not willing to cooperate.
“We are few in number and at times giving out receipts to all these people is a real challenge, the issue is not within our capacity,” she said.
During the county youth week, county public service board chairperson Dr Waithanji Mutiti revealed that there are more than 350 ward administrators and enforcement officers to help streamline service delivery across the county.