Mosiria: Why Kenyans Buying from Hawkers Will Be Arrested
Nairobi County has issued a tough warning to both hawkers and their customers in a renewed effort to restore order in the central business district.
City Hall to Target Hawkers and Buyers Alike
Geoffrey Mosiria, the Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment and Public Health, announced on Thursday, July 24, that the crackdown on illegal hawking in undesignated areas within the CBD will no longer focus on hawkers alone.
He revealed that individuals purchasing items from hawkers operating in prohibited zones will also face arrest and prosecution. According to Mosiria, such customers are complicit in supporting illegal trade, which disrupts public order.
“Enforcement will no longer be limited to the hawkers alone. Those who knowingly purchase goods from hawkers operating in prohibited areas will also be treated as law offenders,” Mosiria stated.
City’s Image and Cleanliness at Stake
The county official emphasized that unauthorized hawking contributes significantly to urban challenges such as:
- Illegal garbage dumping
- Obstructed pedestrian walkways
- General disorganization and filth in the city
He further pointed out that some hawkers exploit public sympathy by dramatizing encounters with county enforcement officers when asked to vacate prohibited trading spaces.
File image of Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria. Photo: Courtesy
Drawing Lessons from Global Cities
Mosiria cited international examples such as Singapore and Rwanda, where similar enforcement strategies target both illegal vendors and their supporters. He reiterated that the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act allows prosecution of those enabling unregulated trade.
“This principle is not unique to our city or country. Other cities have taken bold steps to ensure public spaces remain clean, orderly, and functional,” he said.
County to Enforce Law Without Exceptions
In his concluding remarks, Mosiria affirmed that the new directive aims to protect the rights of all Nairobi residents, including licensed traders whose businesses suffer due to illegal competition.
“We will begin arresting and prosecuting both hawkers who operate illegally and customers who support them in defiance of city regulations,” he said, adding that the move is necessary to “restore dignity and discipline” in the capital city.
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