A showdown is looming between hawkers and the Nairobi County Government after Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that no trading will be allowed to take place along Central Business District CBD pavements.
The announcement was made by Sakaja during a meeting with hawkers at Charter Hall who noted that the move is aimed at restoring dignity in Nairobi.
"There will be no hawking on the streets. I am enforcing from Thursday even along the Bus station. I will not allow it," Sakaja said.
The county boss said this move will allow city residents to have more parking on the pavements that were previously occupied by the hawkers.
On the other hand, Sakaja directed enforcement officers to exercise the directive without taking sides. He said they should also be in uniform anytime they were on duty.
The meeting was prompted after the latest incident which occurred last week when a woman by the name of Gloria Ntazola went viral for taking a Kanjo Askari for a 'ride to nowhere' after he allegedly entered her car without consent.
The incident is one of the many dramatic encounters a section of Kenyans have faced at the hands of Kanjos.
The Nairobi City County Inspectorate Act, 2017 outlines the mandate of the Kanjo Askari, including the do's and don'ts.
The functions of an inspectorate officer include carrying out inspections within Nairobi to ensure compliance with set standards in respect of the functions of the county government.
"The officers are supposed to regulate and control traffic on county roads and keep order and prevent obstructions in county public places," the act reads.
