Public health officials claim extortion, harassment by rogue MCA and Nairobi County officials

Public health professionals in Nairobi have raised concerns about an alleged pattern of extortion and harassment involving a Member of the County Assembly Member (MCA) and senior county officials.

The Association of Public Health Officers of Kenya (APHOK) on Tuesday alleged being coerced into unethical behaviour, specifically targeting restaurant owners with threats of closure unless bribes are paid.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, the health officers, responsible for maintaining public health standards in the city, claimed that these individuals have exploited their positions to manipulate enforcement actions against restaurants for personal financial gain.

APHOK Secretary General Mohamed Duba said that several public health officers have been subjected to threats and intimidation by the MCA and senior county officials, who are alleged to be extorting traders.

He revealed that officers responsible for enforcing public health regulations are being pressured into shutting down restaurants, only for corrupt officials to reopen these establishments after extracting bribes from the business owners.

"This MCA and the senior officials are undermining the integrity of our work. They are taking advantage of their positions to frustrate restaurant owners, threatening them with closure and then reopening their businesses once bribes have been paid," Duba said.

The SG also highlighted that these extortion practices have led to a hostile work environment for health officers, who find themselves torn between fulfilling their professional duties and dealing with pressure from corrupt officials.

"The particular mode of operation of the MCA is by soliciting bribes from the public health officers and technicians employed by the county in the pretext of offering protection from transfers within the county. It is reported that whoever does not comply with his demands are labelled to be non-performers and therefore threatened with immediate transfers," Duba noted.

Undermining authority

The Secretary-General emphasised that enforcement of health regulations is a function of the county executive and that the actions of the MCA and their accomplices are undermining the legitimate authority of the public health officers.

Going further, the association warned that the manipulation of enforcement actions not only harms businesses but also compromises the enforcement of critical health standards.

"With Nairobi being one of the busiest cities in Kenya, maintaining proper health regulations in restaurants is crucial for ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors," Duba added.

As a result of the rogue MCA's actions, the county government confiscated various food items from a business located along Enterprise Road and later released them into the market. These items had expired and were unsafe for consumption.

A high-end Chinese restaurant in Lavington also fell victim when the MCA and a group of officials closed it without explanation, only to "reopen" it after receiving a bribe.

As a result, the association called upon the county government to reign on the rogue MCA and take charge of the regulation of restaurants in Nairobi.

"We call upon the county governor to take a swift and immediate decisive disciplinary action. This will help restore integrity and public trust in the regulatory process. We also call upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to carry out investigations into the conduct of the MCA," Duba said

Nairobi City County government Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba told The Eastleigh Voice that his office is not aware of the allegations but has initiated investigations into the matter.

"I am not aware of those allegations. No officer has reported any harassment or interference from any quota. But my office will start investigations on the matter and will revert with the correct position. The investigation team will visit the mentioned restaurants to get facts. Because have not received any formal complaints from the said premises," he said.

A recent report tabled before the Nairobi City County assembly revealed that a number of restaurants operating in Nairobi without valid food handling certificates. Some of them have also fake food handling certificates putting consumers at risk.

The report also states that a number of county officials have been collecting bribes after "threatening" several restaurants in Nairobi CBD with a notice of closure.

The Association of Public Health Officers of Kenya also urged the Nairobi City County government and relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and take prompt action against the rogue MCA and senior county officials implicated in the extortion scheme.

Duba cautioned that if these practices are not addressed, they could undermine public health enforcement in Nairobi, putting the health and safety of residents at risk.