Nairobi County authorities have issued a stern warning to hawkers operating in Eastleigh, accusing them of turning the busy commercial hub into an open-air market.
The county administration said the traders have been blocking roads, dumping waste, and disregarding regulations, actions that threaten the area’s economic vibrancy and public safety.
In a statement released on Saturday, Nairobi County Executive for Trade and Tourism, Ms. Maureen Njeri, said the administration would not tolerate continued lawlessness.
“We appreciate the role of small traders in driving the economy, but order must be maintained.
No one is allowed to obstruct roads or turn streets into garbage dumps under the guise of business,” she stated.
Eastleigh, a thriving commercial centre known for its wholesale and retail businesses, has in recent years grappled with congestion and poor waste management.
Residents and motorists have raised concerns over frequent traffic jams caused by hawkers spreading their wares onto roadsides, while heaps of uncollected garbage have worsened the situation.
County enforcement officers have been directed to intensify patrols and ensure compliance with city by-laws.
Ms. Njeri urged hawkers to operate within designated markets and warned that those found flouting the rules would face fines, arrests, or confiscation of goods.
Business owners in Eastleigh welcomed the move, saying unregulated hawking has hurt legitimate traders who pay rent and taxes.
“We want fairness. The county must act firmly so that businesses can thrive without chaos,” said one trader.
The warning underscores the county’s wider efforts to restore order in Nairobi’s informal trading sector, which, though critical to livelihoods, has often clashed with city planning rules.
For Eastleigh, long seen as a commercial heartbeat of the capital, the enforcement drive may mark a turning point in reclaiming its order and cleanliness.
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