Nairobians face arrest if found buying from hawkers in undesignated areas

The Nairobi County government has cautioned the public against purchasing from hawkers in undesignated areas, citing that those caught will be apprehended.

Nairobi's Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria noted that the majority of hawkers have continued to block pedestrian walkways despite being allocated designated backlanes to operate from. 

This, Mosiria pointed out, inconveniences city residents and leads to congestion within the county.

"We are stepping up enforcement efforts to ensure compliance. 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," Mosiria posted on X.

In January 2025, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja directed hawkers to operate in the backstreets within the zone from Tom Mboya Street to Kirinyaga Road in a bid to restore order in the city. 

“No hawking will be allowed on the main streets and roads i.e. Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road and River Road,” a notice from the county government on January 6, 2025 read. 

The hawkers were directed to operate from 4pm to 10pm every Monday to Saturday. 

The order followed a motion passed by the Nairobi MCAs, which required the Sakaja administration to establish designated spaces for the hawkers.