Sonko’s new order to city hawkers

dennis kibet

October 10, 2017 2:04 PM

According to the new order, the thousands of hawkers will now be required to...

Nairobi Governor has come up with a raft of new proposals that will affect thousands of hawkers in the city.

According to the new proposals, the county plans to relocate all the 10,000 vendors to a location outside the central business district.

"We expect the relocation to start immediately. The activity should take at least one month," reads part of the proposal seen by The Star.

"Anyone who disobeys the above rules should be charged by the court of law. To reduce conflicts, the city askaris should provide proof by taking videos and photos." the proposal states.

The hawkers will also be required to pay a one-off fee of Sh 2,000 every year to operate in the city.

The Sonko-led county government says it will computerise registration of all hawkers in the town centre and traders at Muthurwa market before the end of November.

The first phase of relocation will involved an eight-member executive committee; two representing the city and six representing the hawkers.

The team will receive reports from the hawkers' committee.

Another 20-member committee will represent each street.

"The committees will ensure a harmonious relationship between county askaris and hawkers. It will ensure no hawking in front of shops and roadsides before 2 pm and that paths are clear for pedestrians," states the proposal.

Phase two will include long-term solutions such as identification and registration of genuine hawkers who have been in the business for a long time.

Traders within Nairobi will use their identification cards to register and the exercise will begin with those based at Muruthwa market.

Last month, Sonko met with met with representatives from the Nairobi Hawkers’ Association after which he announced that they will be moved to the backstreets as the county government finds an alternative permanent place for them.

Among the concerns the hawkers raised include putting up stalls for them, their official registration, harassment and inhumane treatment by county askaris.

NAIROBI TURNS INTO A HAWKERS PARADISE

dennis kibet