The Nairobi City County Government has issued a stern warning to members of the public against purchasing goods from hawkers operating in unauthorized areas within the Central Business District (CBD). In a fresh crackdown aimed at decongesting city streets and restoring public order, both hawkers and their customers now risk arrest and prosecution.
Speaking on Thursday, Nairobi’s Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria announced a renewed enforcement campaign targeting individuals involved in informal street trade outside of the city’s designated vending zones.
“We are stepping up enforcement efforts to ensure compliance,” Mosiria posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Going forward, enforcement will not only target hawkers operating in undesignated areas but also individuals buying from them, as they are aiding and abetting this illegality.”
Hawkers Continue to Defy Order Despite Designated Spaces
This latest move comes months after Governor Johnson Sakaja issued a directive in January 2025, requiring all hawkers within the CBD to relocate to designated backstreets. The plan, part of the county’s broader effort to reorganize the city, was intended to strike a balance between supporting livelihoods and maintaining pedestrian flow on major streets.
According to the January 6, 2025 notice from City Hall, hawkers were instructed to confine their operations to the area bounded between Tom Mboya Street and Kirinyaga Road, and to operate strictly between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.
The directive explicitly prohibited hawking on major streets and roads including:
- Moi Avenue
- Haile Selassie Avenue
- Kenneth Matiba Road
- Latema Road
- Ronald Ngala Street
- Mfangano Street
- Hakati Road
- River Road
Despite the provision of alternative spaces, city officials note that many hawkers have continued to ignore the regulations, instead occupying pedestrian walkways, shopfronts, and busy intersections during daytime hours — leading to congestion, public safety risks, and unfair competition for licensed businesses.
“This lawlessness is not just a nuisance; it endangers pedestrians, blocks access to businesses, and creates unnecessary clutter in the city,” Mosiria emphasized.
Enforcement Now Targeting Buyers as Well
In a shift from previous operations which primarily focused on relocating or removing illegal hawkers, the Nairobi County Government now says enforcement officers will also apprehend individuals purchasing from unauthorized vendors.
City Hall’s rationale is that public cooperation is critical to the success of its urban planning efforts. By buying from hawkers in illegal locations, Mosiria says, Nairobi residents are “aiding and abetting a crime.”
The warning has sparked online debate, with some Nairobians criticizing the move as punitive towards ordinary citizens struggling with the rising cost of living.
However, county officials have stood firm, asserting that discipline, planning, and compliance with city by-laws are necessary if Nairobi is to live up to its reputation as a world-class African capital.
MCA-Backed Plan to Accommodate Street Vendors
The current directive is rooted in a motion passed by Members of the Nairobi County Assembly (MCAs) in late 2024, which required Governor Sakaja’s administration to create structured, designated spaces for informal traders. The goal was to protect livelihoods while maintaining order and safety in the CBD.
As part of the plan, the county has begun mapping and allocating backlane trading spaces, primarily targeting areas with lower foot traffic and minimal obstruction to road and shop access.
Sakaja’s government has argued that this hybrid approach offers a win-win solution by:
- Allowing traders to continue earning a living
- Decongesting sidewalks and improving pedestrian mobility
- Preventing turf wars and disorder caused by unregulated competition
Traders’ Dilemma: Business vs. Regulation
Despite these efforts, many hawkers have expressed frustration with the enforcement campaign, arguing that the designated zones receive less foot traffic, which translates into reduced sales.
“We don’t want to break the law, but how do we survive if we are hidden in backstreets?” asked John Mwangi, a shoe vendor who usually sets up shop along Ronald Ngala Street.
Others have decried what they perceive as inconsistent enforcement, where some vendors are chased away while others are allowed to operate in illegal spaces with impunity — often depending on bribes or connections.
Several trader associations have called for more consultation and better support mechanisms, including affordable licensing, proper signage, lighting, and security in the designated areas to ensure customers feel safe visiting them.
A Delicate Balancing Act for the City
The battle over Nairobi’s streets highlights a broader challenge facing many African cities: how to accommodate informal economies while building modern urban environments with clear rules, safe infrastructure, and efficient movement.
Hawking provides essential income to thousands of families and offers city residents convenient, low-cost goods. Yet, unchecked, it can lead to chaos, crime, unsanitary conditions, and clashes with formal retailers.
Nairobi County is hoping that its new approach — which targets both supply and demand — will usher in a culture of compliance that benefits all residents in the long run.
“We have to instill order if Nairobi is to attract investment and function efficiently,” Mosiria concluded. “Everyone must play their part — vendors and consumers alike.”
Public Awareness Campaign to Follow
To reinforce compliance, City Hall has announced plans to roll out a public awareness campaign through radio, digital platforms, and physical signage, informing Nairobians of where they can legally buy goods and what consequences await those who ignore the rules.
Nairobians are being urged to:
- Only purchase goods from hawkers operating in designated trading zones
- Avoid obstructing sidewalks, building entrances, or roadways
- Report illegal vending or extortion by rogue enforcement officers
As of July 25, 2025, City Hall has deployed additional inspectorate officers to patrol the CBD and ensure that the 4pm–10pm policy is enforced without favoritism or bias.