This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
On Monday, July 8, 2019, traders at Nairobi's City Market made good their threat by shutting down their businesses in protest of the influx of hawkers.
According to the traders, the hawkers were subjecting them to unfair competition by selling similar products without paying for space and licenses.
City Market traders want hawkers relocated to another location for equal business competition to be realised. Photo: Papanoo
The traders' chairman, Cyrus Kamundia, said they had invested millions of shillings and complied with county regulations, but hawkers had ignited a menace that left them without clients.
He added that hawkers were selling chicken, fish, and beef outside their shops, making it difficult for clients to access the market and exposing them to losses.
Some traders told TUKO.co.ke that they were using 35% of their income to pay taxes and licenses to the county's revenue department and thus wanted hawkers to be relocated.
“We have no problem with hawkers, our only appeal is that they should be relocated to another space for fair competition,” said Kamundia.
Illegal traders operating from city market have been on several occasions put on notice but they defied the warnings.
Nairobi County Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of trade Allan Igambi said the government was following up the matter and would not allow hawkers to trade in restricted areas.
He raised concern that hawkers' conduct was compromising hygienic and health safety standards at the market.
“Our primary role is to ensure Nairobi residents consume safe food. We will not sit aside and tolerate this breach keeping in mind this market is classified among international markets,” he said.
