Eastleigh Business District Association condemns 'unwarranted' police raids

The Eastleigh Business District Association (EBDA) says it strongly disapproves of the weekly multi-agency raids targeting wholesale stores on allegations of selling counterfeit powdered milk.

Eastleigh, known as "Little Mogadishu," is a diverse commercial hub in Nairobi, with vibrant markets, shops, and malls.

The raids have taken place every Tuesday since January, leaving traders counting heavy losses and resulting in protests that have seen the deployment of armed police officers to the business hub. Protesting business people have alleged unfair targeting and the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies.

EBDA Secretary-General Omar Hussein, in an interview with The Eastleigh Voice, said some traders suspect sabotage.

Omar also said that all the goods sold in Eastleigh are scrutinised at the port and that traders meet all the requirements for selling them.

"Wholesalers in Eastleigh possess the requisite documentation, rendering the raids by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) unwarranted," he said, noting the business disruptions and significant financial losses that come with the raids.

Last week, he placed the estimated loss from the "illegal raids" at more than Sh30 million in January alone and vowed to take legal action to stop them.

Omar further affirmed the EBDA's stance against any form of tax evasion, saying it does not condone non-compliance with tax obligations. He urged the agencies behind the weekly operations to arrange constructive engagements to address legitimate concerns.

Following the raids, traders last week closed their businesses for three days in an act of protest while Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan expressed concerns about the government's unclear communication regarding the powdered milk ban.

Yusuf noted the importance of informing business owners beforehand to prevent losses.

"If the government has banned powdered milk, it should announce to business people that it is illegal to sell certain powdered milk in Kenya," he said, adding that the confiscated products were from Kenyan companies, not imports.

The legislator also presented the issue in Parliament, raising concerns about the conduct of the police officers, which he noted contradicted the rules of the National Police Service (NPS). He also asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to explain the aim of the operations.

Business people have accused the police of breaking into their stores without a search warrant and proper identification, and without stating the purpose of the raids.

At a meeting of the EBDA on Saturday, the business community and leaders discussed pressing issues including continued harassment by security officers, lack of water, the garbage menace, and security.

Omar told the gathering that Eastleigh's local leaders intend to take up the matter of raids with DCI director Mohamed Amin.