Robert Alai Raises Alarm Over Machete Hawkers in Nairobi Traffic

Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA), Robert Alai, has raised concerns about the sale of what he describes as dangerous weapons on busy Nairobi roads.

In a social media post, Alai specifically mentioned hawkers selling pangas and machetes along Ngong Road, calling on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to address the issue.

The Hawkers in Traffic

The MCA shared pictures of a man hawking these items in the middle of a traffic jam. In the images, a man in a white, short-sleeved shirt and a black baseball cap is seen walking between cars.

He is holding a large, shiny machete in one hand and another, slightly smaller one, in the other. The man also has a toothpick in his mouth and is carrying different items in a bag slung over his shoulder.

Alai suggested that the individual might be a Burundian and possibly a former child soldier.

“The things we allow to be sold in traffic in the middle of the city show the gap in policing here. Hello DCI, do you understand your role? The person selling these on Ngong Road is a Burundian. Probably a former child soldier,” he captioned the photos taken from inside a car.

The Public Reaction and a Past Incident

The post received mixed reactions from online users. Some supported Alai's concerns about public safety and illegal weapons.

“You sleep while chauffeured along the traffic and wake to this pose ???? Burundian assassin,” Humphrey Gachie Muriithi reacted.

“And if you buy from him the police will arrest you for in possession of illegal weapons,” said Omar Abdi Ali.

However, many commenters used the opportunity to remind the MCA of a past incident involving himself and gospel artist Alex Apoko, widely known as Ringtone.

Users referenced a scuffle that took place in July 2021, when Alai was accused of assaulting the musician with a wooden club, or 'rungu', and damaging his Range Rover.

The altercation allegedly started over a road obstruction on Loitoktok Road in Kilimani. Alai was subsequently arrested and charged with causing grievous harm and malicious property damage.

ALSO READ: Robert Alai charged for causing grievous harm to Ringtone

He denied the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh. 300,000. The incident went viral, with videos and pictures circulating widely online.

During court proceedings, Ringtone grew emotional while narrating how Alai allegedly smashed his car's windscreen before hitting him on the jaw.

"What about the things allowed to carry in our cars, or you think we have forgotten you drive around with a masai rungu and you once used it on Ringtone?" read one comment by Agie Kui Agie.

Another user, Manono J Ombasa commented: “Robert Alai when you clashed with Rungtone Apoko what did you use to marinate him!! Add a panga to the Rungu you marinated Apoko with.”

Misoi Nickson Maraba asked, “Robert Alai there's a time you hit Ringtone alex apoko with a Rungu in a roundabout.. is it legal to carry crude weapons in a car?”