Hawkers refuse to leave the streets

By HUDSON GUMBIHI

Defiant small traders say they deserve space in the city centre since they help Nairobi economy grow like the rest

Hawkers have vowed to remain put on the streets claiming they have no other empty space to display their wares.

They said no amount on intimidation by security agents will make them leave the CBD, insisting it is the only lucrative place where they can do business.

Some of the hawkers told The Nairobian they have every right to doing business on city streets, accusing the county authorities of having low opinion about them yet they are helping the city’s economy to grow.

 “The problem will not end even if the council chases them out because there is an overwhelming number of school leavers who want to make a living,” said Nelson Githaiga, the chairman of Nairobi Business Hawkers Association.

According to Githaiga, lack of formal and decent employment has forced many Nairobians into hawking.

He said most of them are young people from primary and secondary schools as well as universities.

The presence of hawkers has turned into a nightmare for residents especially in the evening when they are forced to jostle for space with the hawkers on the pavements.

The chaotic situation is further compounded by endless running battles between the hawkers and city askaris as well as police.

Residents walking and driving home are usually caught up in the ugly skirmishes as police and askaris attempt to drive out the hawkers in vein.

Githaiga said the 5,000 stalls at the Muthurwa Open Air Market cannot accommodate the ever swelling number of new hawkers – most of who migrate from rural villages in search of the scarce opportunities in Nairobi.

He said one solution for the government will be to create more income-generating activities to tame the rural-urban exodus.

A licensed city trader who did not wish to be named asked the authorities to ensure the CDB was out of bounds for hawkers.

“They are encroaching into our market and are a source of insecurity in the city. They should be forced out because they even don’t even pay tax. There should be no compromise,” complained the man.

Director of the City Inspectorate Department Hilary Wambugu was unable to comment on the matter as he was held up in a Nyeri court while Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue could not be reached.