Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ruled out a complete ban on street hawking in the capital, clarifying that the county government will focus on regulation and designated spaces rather than eliminating informal trade.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Sakaja emphasized that street hawking is a permanent cultural and economic fixture that provides vital livelihoods for thousands of city residents:
“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.”
Balancing Informal Trade and Formal Businesses
Addressing ongoing tensions between street hawkers and established shop owners, the governor noted that the county is working to establish fair operational boundaries.
Sakaja cautioned hawkers against setting up stalls directly in front of formal retail premises selling identical merchandise, citing unfair competition against business owners who pay regular rent and licensing fees:
“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.”
Spatial and Time Regulations
To maintain order within the Central Business District (CBD), the county government plans to introduce specific operational guidelines:
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Designated Zones: Hawking will be restricted to designated areas across the city rather than permitted universally across every street.
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Operating Hours: The county will establish strict timelines detailing when street traders are allowed to set up and conduct business.
Policy Shift Toward Regulation
Sakaja’s statements mark a departure from previous enforcement strategies. In May 2025, the county administration had proposed a complete ban on street hawkers in the city center to improve urban cleanliness.
The latest position indicates that the county has abandoned the total ban in favor of a managed approach that accommodates informal micro-enterprises while protecting formal commerce.