Inside Sakaja's plan to streamline hawking activities in Nairobi's CBD

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has unveiled a 90-day pilot programme aimed at streamlining hawking activities across city streets.

A notice sent out on Friday by the Acting County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Patrick Analo spelt out the protocol that will be used to guide informal trade withing the city’s Central Business District.

According to the programme which began on Friday, no trading will be allowed on any carriageway throughout the city.

During the three-month period, street vending will only be allowed beyond Tom Mboya Street downwards while the same from upper Tom Mboya upwards will be prohibited.

City Hall's enforcement officers during a meeting called by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on October 25, 2023. (Photo: X/Johnson Sakaja)

"All street vending activities shall commence strictly from 4 pm to 10 pm both on weekdays and weekends. Pop-up markets are allowed with prior authorization and upon payment of applicable rates, rent and fees on weekends," the notice signed by Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo read.

As part of the programme, street vending business operations in the rehabilitated back lanes shall be done 24 hours daily by traders designated to those lanes through applicable procedures and with a daily cess fee.

Litter-free

"All traders shall ensure that their area of operation is clean and litter-free before and after business operations. The size of each slot will be 3 by 3 feet within clear and adequate space left along the street and in between pallets for pedestrian traffic," the notice read.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja inspecting the Nairobi CBD streets on October 27, 2023. (Photo: NCCG)

The traders will also be required to operate on standardized pallets as per specifications provided by the line department and all payments shall strictly be cashless.

All traders will only be allowed to operate within the designated pavements.

"Any trader who does not adhere to this protocol shall be subject to enforcement action by the County Government in line with applicable laws and regulations," the notice read.

Sakaja on Wednesday ordered a crackdown on hawkers in the CBD in a bid to restore order in the nation's capital.

The governor said he will be firm on the order to tame the hawkers who have taken over most of the main streets in the CBD preventing even residents from walking and cars from passing through.

He directed the enforcement officers to be firm in dealing with the hawkers to restore dignity in the city streets.