The proliferation of hawkers, matatus, boda bodas, street families, taxis, and beggars in Nairobi's central business district (CBD) has raised concerns about the lack of effective regulation and enforcement by the county government.
A recent observation of the area revealed chaotic scenes during rush hours, with pedestrians, street families, hawkers, and beggars competing for space on Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, and Ronald Ngala Street.
Unregulated Operations ¶
Matatu operators, known for disregarding rules, have become increasingly brazen in the city centre, picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated areas. This practice has contributed to the worsening traffic situation, particularly with the emergence of new bus stops and restrictions on some roads.
Boda bodas have also taken over junctions, defying orders to stay out of the CBD. On Ronald Ngala Street, matatus servicing Githurai, Umoja, and Dandora routes often block sections of the street while calling for passengers, leading to traffic spillover onto nearby roads.
Spread of Hawker and Boda Boda Activities ¶
The hawker and boda boda menace has expanded to previously restricted areas, including Kimathi Street, Banda Street, Kenyatta Avenue, Biashara Street, and roads near Jamia Mosque.
David Gachuru, chairman of the Nairobi City County Business Association (NCCBA), attributes the issue to the county government's laxity, which has negatively impacted licensed traders. He emphasizes the need for regulation, stating,
"There is a lot of talk but nothing is happening. The occasional harassment of hawkers and boda boda operators is not working; what is needed is regulation."
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko believes the situation stems from a lack of control and weak planning by the county government, allowing individuals to flout rules due to the absence of effective policies and enforcement.
Possible Solutions ¶
Senator Sonko suggests that creating policies to guide the operations of matatus, hawkers, and boda bodas could provide a solution, citing the example of Bangkok, which has a dedicated policy for street vendors and PSVs. He notes,
"A city like Bangkok has a hawker and PSV policy that governs street vending. It has set aside streets within the city centre for hawkers and PSVs to operate from starting 8pm and this works."
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero acknowledges the challenges, attributing the current issues to the legacy of the defunct city council. He has established a Transport and Urban Decongestion Committee to address the matter, proposing changes to PSV routes to eliminate terminuses in the CBD.
However, efforts to utilize alternative facilities, such as the Muthurwa market and the Ngara bus terminus, have been met with limited success, leaving the CBD congested and disorganized.
