Hawking is probably one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs to do in Kenyan streets with hawkers being treated as thugs and authorities seemingly being after them.
In Nairobi for instance, we have heard nasty stories of how city Askaris have even resorted to killing hawkers in cold blood with no substantial actions being taken against the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.
Hawking, as long as it is done within the confines of law is a legitimate business activity like any other as it helps put food on the table of many Kenyans home.
However, there is this version of hawking in Thika town especially at the main matatu stage that borders on disturbing and pestering of passengers waiting for matatus to fill to travel to their respective destinations.
You will find one hawker after the other come at the window to sell you wares that you don't even need. Like for example why should a hawker try to sell rat poison or cockroach baits to a student who is in full school uniforms going back to school after holiday?
Similarly, why pester me in the morning with pangas, slashers and jembes and you can see am dressed to the nines for office work? The 'stage hawkers' as they are known in the town can prove to be a herculean task to handle especially for one that does not know them.
You can generously buy from them just to realize later you have finished all the money including the matatu fare and all that you bought is plenty in your house. Some passengers try to lock the windows and pretend to be busy on their phones but that doesn't kill the spirit of the incessant hawkers as they will still find their way into the matatu and come to where you are with words like "nilijaribu kukugongea dirisha nikaona hauskii ndiyo maana nikaamua niingie ndani. Ungetaka nikuuzie nini? Iko dawa ya panya, mende, kunguni, viroboto...
The next minute you feel disgusted wondering whether you look like those 'silly' insects or whether you look like you rear them before telling off the hawker.