Vendors and hawkers selling items in the streets in Nairobi CBD. Photo/courtesy.
The county government of Nairobi has issued a new directive concerning hawking activities within the Central Business District (CBD).
On 6 January 2025, the county government of Nairobi through the county secretary and head of public service Godfrey Akumali, made a public notice on the ban of street hawking within the CBD.
According to the notice, hawking activities are to be strictly done on the backstreets and lanes, running specifically from 4pm to 10pm on Monday to Saturdays.
“Nairobi city government hereby give a notice to all hawkers on the in the Central Business District that hawking of merchandize will only be allowed on backstreet and lanes, Monday to Saturday from 4pm to 10pm. The designated backstreet are within the zone from Tom mboya street to kirinyaga road,” the notice reads.
Hawkers have been directed to keep off the main streets and roads as no hawking will be allowed in such spaces noting that all walkways are strictly for pedestrians and not for trading activities.
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Warning has been issued on whoever goes against the directive will face the laws within the Nairobi city county government.
“The general public is asked to take note that anyone contravening this notice will be prosecuted within the Nairobi city government by law,” the further reads.
The directive is likely to affect around 5,000 hawkers and vendors who operate in Nairobi CBD each day. While the directive seeks to decongest the streets, it’s likely to affect hawkers and vendors who depend on hawking to eke a living.
