Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a public notice restricting hawkers from selling their merchandise on walkways within the Central Business District (CBD). The notice, dated January 6, 2025, was signed by Acting County Secretary and Head of County Public Service, Godfrey Akumali, and outlines new measures aimed at restoring order and ensuring pedestrian safety in the capital.
Under the new directives, hawking on walkways within the CBD is strictly prohibited. Instead, hawkers will be allowed to trade only on designated backstreets and lanes between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. The designated zones stretch from Tom Mboya Street to Kirinyaga Road, excluding main streets and thoroughfares.
“The Nairobi City County Government hereby gives notice to all hawkers in the Central Business District that hawking of merchandise will only be allowed on backstreets and lanes, Monday to Saturday, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM,” the notice reads.
Governor Sakaja’s administration has identified key roads and streets, including Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road, as off-limits to hawking activities.
The notice warns that violators will face prosecution under Nairobi City County Government laws.
This move follows previous efforts by the county government to address congestion and reclaim pedestrian spaces in the CBD. In April 2024, the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) initiated the construction of new walkways and cycle lanes, funded by an Ksh8.7 billion grant from the United States government. The initiative was aimed at decongesting the city and improving urban mobility.
Governor Sakaja has consistently emphasized the need to preserve walkways for pedestrians. During an inspection of ongoing works in the CBD on September 4, 2024, he vowed to take action against individuals encroaching on the newly constructed pedestrian and cycling spaces.
“The new walkways are for pedestrians, not hawkers. We will enforce this strictly,” Sakaja stated, while commending residents for their feedback on the improvements.
The governor’s latest directive comes in response to growing concerns from Nairobi residents about limited walking space caused by increased hawking activity. Earlier attempts to relocate traders to the Kangundo Road market had sparked protests, but Sakaja remains steadfast in his efforts to restore order in the city.
This firm stance by the county government underscores its commitment to improving the urban experience for residents and visitors alike.
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