Hawkers on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi display their goods on August 29, 2017. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Following a public outcry of an influx of hawkers in the CBD, Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has banned the traders from operating in the CBD at specific hours of the day.
The governor directed that no hawker is found in the CBD before shops close, adding that those arrested will not be bailed.
Sonko also said the traders will now be relocated to a new market constructed in Ngara in the “next few weeks”.
According to the Star, the governor has started talks with representatives of the hawkers ahead of their planned relocation.
Reports indicate that the governor has scheduled a meeting with the traders on November 13.
“I have found space to settle your people in Ngara and we will get space for all of them there. So please call them for a meeting and then brief them on this development. We do not need to fight to make Nairobi a better place,” sources at City Hall quoted Sonko in conversation with hawkers' leader Waweru Kimani.
They agreed to convene a meeting with hawkers over the matter.
Meanwhile, the governor said police and City Hall askaris would keep vigil to see that the order is followed.
“The operation will start today [Friday]and no one will be bailed out. I helped you hawkers when you had problems, so you should also help me work well with all Nairobians,” Sonko told Kimani.