‘New walkways are for pedestrians, not hawking’ – Sakaja declares

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has declared an operation in the Central Business District (CBD) targeting hawkers.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Sakaja indicated his administration would launch an operation targeting hawkers on the newly fitted walkaways.

Speaking during the inspection of various works in the CBD, Sakaja maintained that his administration would take strict measures against those found culpable of hawking on the refurbished walkways and cycle lanes.

“I inspected ongoing works around the CBD while interacting with Kenyans who provided a lot of wonderful feedback on the walkway improvement that’s ongoing on key roads,” the governor noted.

“The new walkways are for pedestrians and not hawking. We will enforce this strictly,” Sakaja added.

Sakaja was forced to issue the order following a series of complaints raised by the city dwellers over the limited walking spaces within the city. Residents lamented that hawkers had invaded the newly refurbished walkways.

Previous promise on hawking

In October 2023, Sakaja announced plans to tame hawking in the central business district. The first time governor announced then that hawking would only be allowed from 4 pm.

Further, Sakaja’s administration identified specific streets which he indicated that hawking would be allowed to take place.

“Pursuant to the Fourth Schedule of the Kenyan Constitution, the County Government is mandated to establish trade regulation which includes fair trading practices and management of traders and Public spaces,” Sakaja stated then.

The Governor also allowed pop-up markets during the weekend in specific areas, but only upon payment.

“Pop-up markets are allowed upon payment of applicable rates, rent and fees only on weekends,” the programme unveiled by Sakaja’s administration read then.

However, the pop-up markets he stated that they only be set up along Kenyatta Avenue (Service lanes between Koinange and Kimathi Streets) and Sunken Car Park.

Sakaja’s administration has yet to enforce the directives.