Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ruled out a ban on street hawking in the capital, saying the informal trade will continue because it provides livelihoods for thousands of residents.

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Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen on Wednesday, August 26, Sakaja said the county government will not ban street hawking but is putting measures in place to regulate and manage street businesses rather than eliminate them.

According to the governor, street hawking can never be eliminated, noting that it is a culture that will never end.

"Hawking and street business is something that will never end because they are also in need of earning a living. It just has to be managed," Sakaja said.

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The city boss said the county government was working to strike a balance between the interests of street traders and those of shop owners who pay rent and licences to operate their businesses.

He cautioned hawkers against setting up businesses directly outside shops selling similar goods, arguing that such practices create unfair competition for traders who incur the costs of maintaining formal premises.

"You cannot go sell in front of someone's shop when he pays rent and sells the same as you do. We have to find balance," Sakaja said.

He further indicated that hawking would not be permitted in every part of the city , with the county expected to designate specific areas where street traders can operate.

At the same time, there will be specific timelines for the business, with the county set to determine when the traders are allowed to conduct their business.

His remarks mark a shift from an enforcement-only approach to street trading, with the county seeking to accommodate informal businesses while maintaining order in the city.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke