The Nairobi County Government has defended itself from accusations of causing tension among hawkers and matatu operators leading to chaos in the Central Business District (CBD).
In a statement released by County Secretary and Head of Public Services, Godfrey Akumali, the county government insisted that its directive issued on January 6, 2025, was not meant to displace hawkers as portrayed but an attempt to create a structured environment that would benefits all businesses operating in the area.
He said that the order instructed hawkers to relocate from the main streets in the city to designated backstreets which would ease congestion, maintain cleanliness as well as ensuring accessibility.
Unfortunately, this created an impression that matatus should be pushed out of the CBD, leading to some of the hawkers encroaching on spaces designated for matatu operations which triggered a standoff with operators. Akumali clarified that the relocation of hawkers did not mean that emphasizing the need for mutual co-existence.
“I am calling for mutual co-existence between the two entities which requires that hawkers should not occupy spaces meant for matatus and matatus should not block pedestrian pathways, he added.
He said that both sectors depend on each other, and it was in their best interest to work harmoniously within the county’s regulations and policy framework.
The county government has since called for peaceful dialogues between the stakeholders so as to resolve the issues instead of causing disruptions that had now businesses and operations in the city
“We will not condone disturbances of other businesses and blocking of roads and as county we are reassuring out committed in ensuring that all stakeholders run their business as required by law,” he added.
Emphasis was also made on the need for proper sanitation and order among the hawkers and matatu operators especially in their designated areas.
This comes as the Governor, Johnson Sakaja continues with his initiative every Sunday where he has been leading 3,500 Green Army personnel to clean the city and city residents have been urged to support the program by maintaining a clean environment around them.