Hawkers celebrate fresh opportunities in Eastleigh’s Five Street
According to the hawkers, Nairobi City County has unofficially allowed them to operate on Five Street, in an arrangement reached between the hawkers and building owners.
At exactly 10:00am, Peter Maina begins setting up his stall along Five Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
Maina is one of the hundreds of hawkers who have moved from Yusuf Haji Avenue and have now settled between First Avenue and Yusuf Haji Avenue.
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He explained that he has struggled for years to find a reliable place to sell his goods having only been allowed to operate on Yusuf Haji Avenue after 5:00pm. On Five Street, he begins work much earlier and closes at his convenience.
The trader said the freedom has allowed him to support his family more comfortably. “I have finally found a place to operate from,” said Maina. “I can peacefully fend for myself and my family.”
As the morning rolls in, more hawkers set up their stalls; some are already engaging with early customers who are browsing through various items sold on hand carts and wheelbarrows. Their products range from clothing, shoes to household goods.
The street has become congested, with the entire road space occupied by hawkers. Vehicles and pedestrians must navigate cautiously through narrow paths left between stalls.
Despite the congestion, Nairobi City County enforcement officers, commonly known as kanjos, are seen moving around in their vehicles without disturbing the hawkers.
According to the traders, the county has unofficially allowed them to operate on Five Street, following an arrangement reached between the hawkers and building owners.
Juliet Ariaka, a vendor who sells men’s shoes from her handcart, said the new location has given her peace of mind.
“This street has brought peace to so many of us,” Ariaka explained. “Hawkers are unwanted in most places, but this street has made us feel that we belong somewhere.”
The new market area is also gaining popularity among customers who reside nearby, such as Kaltuma Mohamed. “Hawkers sell cheaper products, maybe because they do not pay rent, their prices make me buy from them most of the time,” said Kaltuma.
Despite the progress, the hawkers expressed concern over the continued daily payments demanded by the kanjos, saying each is required to pay Sh100.
According to several hawkers, the money is not issued with a receipt and does not appear to be remitted to the county government. They urged the county to formalise the arrangement and protect them from harassment and unofficial levies.
“Kanjos are exploiting us and enriching themselves; paying Sh100 daily is not fair. It does not go to the county but into individuals’ pockets,” said one hawker who asked to remain anonymous.
The hawkers said the situation is, nonetheless, better than it was on Yusuf Haji Avenue, or Jam Street, another potential hawking location, which is currently in a dire state.
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