‘No hawking will be allowed on the main streets and roads, i.e., Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road,’ Acting Nairobi County Secretary Mr. Godfrey Akumali announced, emphasizing that walkways in the CBD are exclusively for pedestrians
The Nairobi County government has officially banned hawking in the Central Business District (CBD), limiting vendors to designated back streets. While the directive, issued on Thursday by acting county secretary Geoffrey Akumali, was anticipated, its success hinges on consistent enforcement.
“No hawking will be allowed on the main streets and roads, i.e., Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road,” Akumali announced, emphasizing that walkways in the CBD are exclusively for pedestrians.
Nairobi CBD Ward Representative Mwaniki Kwenya welcomed the decision, declaring:
“These are part of the measures that are geared towards making Nairobi work. This city will never be the same again. Time for populist politics is now over; Nairobi must work.”
The directive follows several unsuccessful attempts by Governor Johnson Sakaja to bring order to the city. In October 2023, Sakaja stated unequivocally:
“Nairobi will be a city of order and dignity. There will be no hawking on roads, and that is not negotiable.”
A Persistent Issue
Hawking has long been a contentious issue in Nairobi, with streets and pavements often converted into bustling markets. From electronics to fresh produce, vendors sell a variety of goods, crowding pedestrian walkways and obstructing legitimate businesses.
Major streets like Tom Mboya, Latema, and River Road have become hawking hot spots, frequently leading to cat-and-mouse chases with enforcement officers. Reports of increased crime in these areas have further fueled the need for action.
Despite promises made during his 2022 campaign, Sakaja’s efforts to address hawking have faced challenges. His initial approach included allocating Ksh 100 million for hawker relocation and proposing designated vending areas with public participation. However, vendors like Miriam Wangechi, a phone accessories seller, remain sceptical of such initiatives.
“I knew this plan would not work because we were never involved in the planning,” she said.
A Legacy of Failed Policies
Previous administrations have also struggled to resolve the hawking dilemma. Former Governor Evans Kidero blamed entrenched City Hall cartels for his failures, while Mike Sonko’s promise to organise hawkers within 100 days never materialised. The Nairobi Metropolitan Services’ plan for a permanent working station near Utalii College similarly fell short.
In 2021, the Nairobi City County Pop-up Markets and Street Vendors Act was introduced to regulate market operations. Despite these efforts, hawkers have consistently returned, underscoring the resilience of informal trade in the city.
Challenges Ahead
The latest directive aims to end years of failed policies and restore Nairobi’s lost glory as the “Green City in the Sun.” However, enforcement remains a significant hurdle. The hawking ban has often been undermined by weak implementation, corruption, and political interference.
As Nairobi takes on this renewed effort to reclaim order and dignity, questions linger: Will this directive finally succeed, or will it join the long list of unrealized plans? Only time will tell.
