The Nakuru County Government is betting on fresh trainings, to restore professionalism into its inspectorate officers, popularly known as 'kanjos.'

This comes a year after its capital Nakuru was awarded city status.

According to Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, the inspectorate team will undergo training as part of a grand plan to ensure the officers exercise the highest level of professionalism.

"The enforcement officers will undergo trainings aimed at ensuring they serve the public with utmost integrity especially in Nakuru City. We want to introduce a new culture of integrity and professionalism, “stated Mr Kones.

Mr Kones made the revelations when he spoke during the induction of 157 newly recruited enforcement officers.

"The enforcement officers have undergone trainings to ensure they handle residents professionally. Cities around the world are more diverse, as they attract communities of different nationalities, faith and ethnicity, so officers must be professional and ethical, “added Mr Kones.

Mr Kones revealed that more trainings are lined up to help the enforcement officers interact professionally with a variety of people, including visitors, hawkers, tenants and the general public.

The trainings, Mr Kones said, are intended to rebrand the unit and get rid of the culture associated with corruption and brutality that the officers have been known for.

Already, over 500 officers have previously undergone trainings in a bid to infuse a new culture of professionalism, discipline and integrity into the unit.

The enforcement officers are infamous for their ruthless handling of residents accused of various offences and hawkers, especially in Nakuru, Naivasha, Molo and Gilgil towns.

This writer learnt that the officers have undergone a training on etiquette, disaster management among other things aimed at revamping the team.

In 2019, the image of the enforcement team came into sharp scrutiny, after they were accused of rounding up street children, whom they dumped at Chemasusu Forest in Baringo County.

The incident that was tabled before the Senate, nearly denied Nakuru City status.

EMatara@ke.nationmedia.com.

Nakuru City Seeks to Mend 'kanjos' Battered Image With New Training

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Eric Matara