Governor Johnson Sakaja has banned hawking within the Central Business District (CBD) of the Nairobi City County.
In a statement, the county government issued a statement giving notice to all hawkers.
According to the public notice, hawking will only be permitted on designated backstreets and lanes from Monday to Saturday between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
Further, the statement indicated that the designated hawking zone spans from Tom Mboya Street to Kirinyaga Road.
Consequently, all main streets, walkways are strictly reserved for pedestrian use.
“Nairobi City County government hereby gives notice to all hawkers in the central business district that hawking merchandise will only be allowed on backstreets and lanes Monday through Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm.
“The designated backstreets are within the zone from Tom Mboya Street to Kirinyaga Road,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Sakaja Bans Hawking in Nairobi CBD
Streets Where Hawking is Banned
Streets where hawking is expressly prohibited include Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road and Latema Road.
Additionally, hawking has been banned along Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over congestion and safety in the CBD, where hawkers and pedestrians often compete for limited walkway space.
According to the statement, violators of the new regulations will face prosecution according to the Nairobi city county government by-law.
“All walkways within the central business district are strictly for pedestrians and not trading.
“The general public is asked to take note that anyone contravening this notice will be prosecuted within the Nairobi city county government by-law,” explained the statement.
Also Read: Court Gives Sakaja a 5-Day Ultimatum Over Central Park
Sakaja on Earlier Directive
Earlier in October 2023, the Nairobi County boss announced that the enforcement of the directive would begin with Moi Avenue.
He disclosed that investors had injected billions of Kenyan shillings into the road’s expansion and other related projects, though he did not elaborate on the specifics.
“We have declared that there will be no street vending on Moi Avenue. we will relocate traders elsewhere because there are other plans in place for that road.
“Investors have committed billions, and we are set to expand Moi Avenue to make it more pedestrian-friendly. My priority is not only the Kenyans using the walkways but also shop owners, who are valuable taxpayers,” he explained.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and join our WhatsApp Group for real-time news updates.
