Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has suspended 12 county Askaris who were captured on video dragging a woman behind a speeding pick-up truck yesterday.
In a statement, the governor said investigations into the accident have also been launched. “As investigations continue on this matter with the urgency it deserves, I have directed the City Manager to immediately suspend from duty all the officers who were involved in this incident with immediate effect,” he said.
In the video, first reported by TV47 Digital the woman is dragged along a tarmac road in Kisumu town behind a pick-up with four men (presumed to be Askaris) on board.
Enraged bodaboda operators followed the pick-up hooting and attempting to rescue the woman.
The 39-year-old Beatrice Magolo Atieno had allegedly flouted county rules on hawking.
In an interview with TV47 Digital yesterday, Atieno said she was selling her wares at Angawa Street near Kisumu Bus Park when the said Askaris pounced on her.
They dragged her for about 300 metres and dropped her off at the gate of a police station. The incident raised uproar online, with Kenyans calling on the Governor to act on the errant Askaris.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission also condemned the act.