NAIROBI —
In a sharp escalation of its efforts to clear Nairobi’s clogged streets, City Hall has announced it will now arrest not only hawkers operating in unauthorised areas but also the people buying from them.

The crackdown, unveiled this week by Geoffrey Mosiria, the County Environment Chief Officer, is part of a renewed push to bring order to the capital’s chaotic pavements.

“Going forward, we will not only target hawkers operating in undesignated areas but also individuals buying from them, as they are aiding and abetting this illegality,” Mosiria told reporters on Thursday.

Crowded Walkways, Blocked Drains

The move follows months of growing frustration among residents and county officials over the state of Nairobi’s streets. Sidewalks across the city centre — from Moi Avenue to River Road — have become increasingly blocked by vendors and their wares, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads.

Mosiria insisted the goal is not to punish traders but to restore the city’s image and safety. “Many hawkers continue to block pedestrian walkways, inconveniencing city residents and compromising public safety,” he said. “The Nairobi City County Government is fully committed to restoring and maintaining order in our city.”

The county has designated back lanes for vendors to operate legally, but according to Mosiria, many refuse to move to these zones. Instead, some have taken to “playing the poverty card,” he claimed, to defy enforcement officers.

Disposable Cups, Flooded Streets

The announcement comes just weeks after City Hall introduced new rules targeting tea and coffee vendors who serve drinks in disposable cups and plastic bags but fail to provide trash bins. Mosiria said the litter from such businesses often ends up clogging drainage systems, contributing to flooding during the rainy season.

“These cups and plastic waste are choking our drainage and costing the city millions,” he said.

Vendors found flouting the waste disposal rules have been warned that their goods risk being confiscated and they could be arrested.

Tough Message, Mixed Reaction

The directive affects traders and customers operating in major streets, including Haile Selassie Avenue, Latema Road, and other downtown hotspots. All hawkers have been instructed to vacate these areas and relocate to designated backstreets.

Reaction to the new policy has been mixed. Some Nairobians welcomed the move, saying the city centre has become unwalkable. Others, however, worry the approach punishes the urban poor without offering real economic alternatives.

“Instead of criminalising small traders, the county should support them with proper structures,” said Peter Mwangi, a local human rights activist. “Poverty is not a crime.”

Still, City Hall appears determined to push ahead. Mosiria’s message to hawkers and their customers was blunt: “We are stepping up enforcement efforts to ensure compliance. Those aiding illegal trade will not be spared.”