Geoffrey Mosiria is once again at the center of public criticism after a video emerged showing pedestrians near Nyayo Stadium being forced to clean dirty drainage channels and collect roadside garbage for crossing the road instead of using a footbridge.
The incident has raised serious questions about how far a public official can go in the name of enforcing discipline and whether ordinary Nairobi residents are being turned into content for social media rather than being treated with dignity.
The people caught in the operation were not criminals or violent offenders. They were ordinary Kenyans trying to get to work, hospitals, markets, and other daily commitments. Some had genuine emergencies. One man reportedly pleaded that he was rushing to see his wife who had just given birth, but his explanation was ignored.
Another woman was using her phone when it was reportedly taken away before she was instructed to join others cleaning the drainage. Even elderly pedestrians were not spared as cameras continued recording every moment.
What shocked many people was not just the punishment itself but the conditions under which it was carried out. Those stopped were allegedly ordered to remove garbage from filthy drainage channels using their bare hands.
They had no gloves, masks, boots, or any other protective equipment. They handled muddy water, rotting waste, plastic, and other unknown materials that could easily expose them to infections and other health risks.
It left many wondering whether such treatment can be justified under any form of public education or enforcement.
Mosiria serves as Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service. His office is expected to improve communication between the county government and residents, address public concerns, and help deliver better services. Many critics argue that this role does not give him powers to create instant punishments on the roadside or force members of the public into manual cleaning work while cameras record every second.
Road safety enforcement in Kenya falls under the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority through established laws and procedures. Where an offence has been committed, there are legal processes that determine how offenders are handled.
Public humiliation and roadside punishment are not among the penalties provided by law.
Supporters of Mosiria argue that pedestrians who ignore footbridges put their own lives at risk and contribute to the increasing number of road accidents. They believe strong action is necessary to discourage dangerous behaviour. However, many Nairobi residents maintain that education should focus on awareness campaigns, proper signage, safe crossings, and ensuring footbridges are well maintained and conveniently located.
They argue that forcing people to clean garbage without protective gear goes beyond education and crosses into public humiliation.
The latest incident also reflects a pattern that many people have come to associate with Mosiria’s public appearances. He often confronts residents while cameras are rolling, and the videos quickly spread across social media. While some view the clips as evidence of a hardworking official taking action, others believe they have become more about creating viral content than solving the problems facing Nairobi.
The bigger concern is the message such actions send about public service. Government officials are expected to uphold the law while respecting the dignity and rights of every citizen. They are entrusted with authority to serve the public, not to embarrass them or expose them to unnecessary health risks for online attention.
If crossing outside a designated footbridge is an offence, then the law already provides mechanisms for dealing with offenders. Those mechanisms should be followed consistently and fairly. Creating punishments on the roadside without legal backing only raises more questions about accountability and abuse of authority.
Nairobi residents pay taxes with the expectation that county officials will improve public services, keep the city clean, and protect public health.
Many now believe those responsibilities should be carried out through lawful and professional methods rather than turning ordinary citizens into unpaid sanitation workers for videos that dominate social media. The debate is no longer just about footbridges.
It is about whether public office should be used to serve the people or to create spectacles that leave citizens feeling humiliated instead of protected.
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