Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued an order prohibiting hawkers from operating along all lanes connecting to Moi Avenue in the Nairobi Central Business District.
Speaking during a meeting on Wednesday, Sakaja stated that there will be no hawking activity along the aforementioned lanes because there is a deliberate plan to revamp operations on the street.
He also proposed that the affected hawkers be given priority access to the back lanes, where they can also operate and make a living.
“From Tom Mboya coming up to Moi Avenue we will have no hawking and street business there because we have a plan on that road where we receive billions from investors,” he said.
“I was in Paris and we are doing BRT. We are going to expand that road to be walkable because I am not just taking care of you I am also taking care of Kenyans who are walking those who own shops they are also taxpayers.”
Sakaja further dismissed those faulting him for targeting the hawkers, arguing that there needs to be a fair playing ground for anyone conducting business in the CBD.
“Everybody must get their piece, we can’t favour one group over another. So when I insist that you operate up to a certain spot then stop there and nobody will bother you,” he said.
“We want to treat our people as human beings and to do the right thing.”
