Kidero asked to find solution to hawkers

A Nairobi politician has urged Governor Evans Kidero to urgently convene a consultative forum to find sustainable and durable solutions to the issue of hawkers in the city.

Francis Mwangi, who is allied to The National Alliance party, said frequent violent clashes between hawkers and county officials were undermining economic activities in the city.

"Not a day passes without these clashes. We need to find a way in which hawkers can earn a living without disrupting the city's business. The policy of forcefully evicting them does not work and needs to be re-examined," he told The Standard yesterday.

Mr Mwangi, who ran for Starehe constituency's parliamentary seat in the last election, said Dr Kidero should bring together Nairobi's key leaders and hawkers' representatives to find a lasting solution to the issue.

"It is clear that almost all the hawkers are youths who need support to nurture their businesses without undermining law and order. The county government should be ready to listen to solutions during the proposed meeting," he said.

He suggested certain parts of the city be designated for hawking and have specific days and hours set aside for the hawkers to display their wares.