The Eldoret West Deputy OCPD Tom Achiya has termed the arrest of hawkers and motorists who operate from unauthorised places in Eldoret Town as legal.
Speaking from his office on Thursday, Achiya said that hawkers and motorists had surpassed the county limit of exploitation and have gone against the rules set up for them.
“They were doing the right thing but they were doing it in the wrong place. Therefore, that made it illegal,” said Achiya
He rubbished claims that the arrests are illegal and that it infringes on the rights of the motorists and the hawkers.
“There are designated places set aside for hawkers and motorists to do their businesses and for a hawker to operate from such places they require licences from the county government,” said Achiya.
He said that the police should not be blamed as their work is to enforce law created by the county government.
“We do not create laws; they are created by the county assembly. We follow the law just like everyone else,” said Achiya.
He warned that they will continue arresting people found hawking in the wrong places.
The deputy OCPD's sentiments were in response to a recent complaint of harassment made by motorists and hawkers.