{
  "id": 327047,
  "title": "Arati moves to tame Kisii ‘Green Army’ over goonism concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/arati-moves-to-tame-kisii-green-army-over-goonism-concerns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T21:21:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/arati-moves-to-tame-kisii-green-army-over-goonism-concerns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kisii Governor Simba Arati has halted night-time street sweeping in Kisii town due to escalating security concerns arising from reported assaults and robberies of traders and residents in the Getembe and Nubi areas on Friday night. This decision was announced by Arati on Saturday during a visit to Nubi, where traders alleged they were attacked and compelled to abandon their businesses amidst escalating tensions. Arati stated that \"from now on, we shall have no further night sweeping. Much of the cleaning work can be done during daytime.\"\n\nThe directive follows a series of complaints lodged by political leaders, traders, and residents concerning alleged intimidation and harassment linked to the county government's Green Army initiative. Friday night's events have further fueled apprehensions among traders, with some attributing the alleged attacks to individuals identified as Green Army personnel. A church elder who had returned from a funeral reported sustaining injuries during an attempted robbery, while traders recounted being forced to close their businesses and flee for safety.\n\nAsha Fatima, a trader, expressed concern over the incidents, emphasizing the need for authorities to investigate and prevent the misuse of the county government's name to instill fear among businesspeople who operate late into the night. She stressed that \"people are now afraid to remain in their shops after dark. We want security, not intimidation. If anyone committed a crime, let the police investigate and take action.\"\n\nUnder the new directive, street-cleaning activities will be limited to daytime hours, enabling sanitation workers to perform their duties with enhanced public visibility and facilitating monitoring by county officials and security agencies. The Green Army, initiated by the county government to enhance cleanliness, environmental stewardship, and upkeep of public spaces, has faced mounting criticism due to allegations of harassment, assault, and intimidation involving its members. A video circulating on social media has amplified public concern over the alleged mistreatment of civilians by individuals identified as Green Army members. Senator Richard Onyonka, representing Kisii in Parliament, has separately requested a statement from the legislature regarding the behavior of the county's Green Army enforcement officers, heightening pressure on the administration to address concerns surrounding the program.\n\nGovernor Arati has previously endorsed the Green Army, acknowledging its contribution to maintaining the cleanliness of Kisii town. In March, during the inauguration of county road machinery, he praised the workers for their role in preserving public spaces. Residents have now demanded a comprehensive investigation into the Friday night incidents and called for accountability, urging anyone found responsible to face due process. A trader who wished to remain anonymous emphasized the need for both clean and safe streets, stating that \"nobody should be beaten, robbed, or harassed in the name of cleaning the town.\" The decision to discontinue night sweeping is anticipated to alleviate tensions and restore public confidence in Kisii County's sanitation program while simultaneously addressing escalating security issues in the town.",
  "summary": "Kisii Governor Simba Arati has banned night-time street sweeping in the town following growing security concerns over alleged assaults and robberies involving traders and residents in the Getembe and Nubi areas. The directive comes amid mounting complaints from political leaders, traders, and residents over alleged goonism in parts of Kisii County, placing increased scrutiny on the county government's Green Army programme. The new directive restricts street-cleaning operations to daytime, allowing sanitation workers to operate with greater public visibility while making their activities easier to monitor by county officials and security agencies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Violence puts Kisii on edge as pressure mounts on Arati to rein in ‘Green Army’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/violence-puts-kisii-on-edge-as-pressure-mounts-on-arati-to-rein-in",
        "published": "2026-08-08T10:35:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}