Only hawkers who are registered as Nairobi voters will be allowed to operate in the city, according to radical measures taken by the county government to deal with overcrowded sector.
This is part of a three-phase strategy that will see the traders restricted from accessing the central business district. Those who violate the rule will face stiff penalties.
The move to have hawkers register for business using their voters' cards is meant to keep 'outsiders' away from the CBD.
As part of phase one, the itinerant traders will be required to operate only in areas beyond Tom Mboya Street, not hawk their wares in front of businesses before 2pm, refrain from hawking on both sides of the road, and ensure that paths are available for pedestrians.
“The hawkers currently do not have orders and are uncontrollable. They sell in front of shops at any time of the day, and along the roads blocking motorists, and harass city askari under the pretext that they are protected by the governor,” noted Governor Mike Sonko.
READ MORE
Why there's no hawking in Kyrgyzstan and Serbia
Kisumu hawkers urged to stay united amidst challenges
Hawkers have become a nuisance to formal businesses in Nairobi's CBD
They will also be required to have a 20-member committee that includes county askari that will be in charge of every street.
The second phase will include the licensing of hawkers, who will be required to pay a Sh2,000 fee per year. The traders will also be digitally registered for ease of identification.
To avoid double registrations, the first to be registered will be traders from Muthurwa market. Consequently, no hawker will be required to pay money for registration.
On space allocation, all spaces will be numbered for accountability; no permanent structures will be put up and there will be no hanging of goods on walls or destruction of other people’s property.
Working environment
“Allocation of space should be done fairly to ensure that everyone has space within their current working environment - for example, those operating along Tom Mboya will be given the back street,” said Sonko in the proposal.
The county government committed to ensuring that the spaces were well lit and that CCTV cameras were installed in the main streets. The back streets will have cabro paving or tarmac and cleaners will be provided from the county.
Registration of Muthurwa hawkers will take a month (October), while CBD hawkers will be registered in November 2017. The county government is expected to provide the amenities within three months.
The governor also warned of a cartel involving county workers and hawkers who alert the traders of any impending ‘danger’ and paid for the service.
Penalties against anyone involved in such actions will include de-registration and prosecution.
If a county askari is found taking money from hawkers, they will be charged and disciplinary action taken against them. If a committee member engages in corruption, he or she will be removed from the committee.
