In a bid to restore order and reduce congestion in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered hawkers to relocate to designated backstreets. The new directive, issued on January 6, 2025, comes as part of the county government’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and create safer, more pedestrian-friendly walkways.
According to the directive, hawking will now be permitted only in the backstreets stretching from Tom Mboya Street to Kirinyaga Road, and only between 4pm and 10pm, from Monday to Friday. The designated area will include streets such as Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, and River Road, which have traditionally been the hotspots for hawkers, but these locations will now be off-limits. The move seeks to clear these main streets for pedestrian use, allowing for more organized movement in the heart of Nairobi’s bustling commercial district.
County Secretary Godfrey Akumali emphasized that hawkers found operating outside the designated backstreets will face prosecution under county laws. This follows a motion introduced by Umoja 1 Member of County Assembly Mark Mugambi, which was passed by the Nairobi County Assembly in November 2024. The motion aimed at decongesting the CBD and offering hawkers a more controlled environment in which to conduct their businesses.
This is not the first time the issue of hawkers in Nairobi’s CBD has been addressed. In 2023, Sakaja took similar action by banning hawkers from Moi Avenue’s connecting lanes, seeking to revamp operations on the street. This move was part of a broader effort to create a more structured environment for businesses, residents, and tourists alike. Under the new plan, the affected hawkers will be given priority to operate in the newly established pop-up market spaces within the backlanes.
While the move is seen as an attempt to ease traffic and pedestrian congestion, it remains to be seen how effectively it will address the long-standing issue of hawker presence in Nairobi’s streets. It also raises questions about the livelihood of hawkers who rely on these busy thoroughfares for their daily income.
