The debate over hawkers in Nairobi’s Central Business District has taken a new turn after Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai proposed that all hawkers should wear uniforms while conducting business in the city centre. Alai, a vocal critic of Governor Johnson Sakaja, made the call on Tuesday, September 9, during a scathing attack on what he described as the governor’s failure to tackle insecurity in Nairobi. His proposal has ignited heated discussions on how best to balance order, security, and the survival of informal traders. The call for uniforms for hawkers in CBD is more than a proposal about street trade. It touches on the broader issues of insecurity, governance, and political accountability in Nairobi. [Photo: Courtesy] Why the Uniform for Hawkers in CBD Debate Matters Alai’s call for a uniform for hawkers in CBD came just a day after Governor Sakaja’s press conference on the state of security in the capital. While Sakaja outlined new measures to restore order, Alai dismissed the county boss’s pronouncements as empty talk.
“We need fewer press conferences and more action,” Alai said, warning that insecurity was spiraling out of control. He added that the county needed to limit the number of matatus in the city centre and bring hawkers under regulation through uniforms.
The Kileleshwa MCA argued that introducing uniforms would help distinguish genuine traders from criminal elements who often disguise themselves as hawkers. He further urged the county government to work closely with national security agencies to restore confidence in the CBD .
The hawkers issue has long troubled successive Nairobi administrations. On one hand, traders provide livelihoods for thousands of families. On the other, their presence on key streets often disrupts pedestrian movement, traffic flow, and city planning. Sakaja’s administration has attempted to strike a balance, but tensions between the county and traders remain high.
In January, the governor ordered hawkers to vacate major streets, including Moi Avenue, Ronald Ngala Street, Haile Selassie Avenue, Latema Road, and River Road. The directive triggered resistance, with traders insisting they had no alternatives. Global Lessons on Uniform for Hawkers Alai’s proposal is not without precedent. Countries such as India have experimented with uniforms for street vendors with encouraging outcomes. Under India’s Street Vendors Act of 2014, registered hawkers receive uniforms or ID cards, making them easily identifiable.
In cities like Mumbai and Delhi, vendors wear aprons, jackets, or vests as part of pilot programs that not only organize trade but also improve security monitoring. By making registered hawkers visible, authorities can weed out unlicensed traders and reduce crime disguised as hawking.
For Nairobi, adopting uniforms could achieve similar results. While the measure may not solve insecurity entirely, it could make it easier to detect impostors and restore some order in the CBD. Still, the challenge lies in enforcement, potential resistance from traders, and ensuring that uniforms do not become a tool for harassment by rogue officers. Political Undertones in the Uniform for Hawkers in CBD Debate Alai’s bold proposal cannot be separated from the ongoing political wrangles at City Hall. Just last week, Sakaja narrowly survived an impeachment attempt. The motion was shelved for 60 days to allow him to realign his leadership and mend ties with the county assembly.
Alai, one of the most outspoken MCAs, has repeatedly accused Sakaja of neglecting critical services. From collapsed garbage collection to broken infrastructure, he has painted a grim picture of a city in decline under the governor’s watch.
By pushing for uniforms for hawkers in CBD, Alai not only addresses security concerns but also positions himself as a leader willing to propose tangible solutions rather than rhetoric. His stance increases pressure on Sakaja to act decisively on issues affecting Nairobians daily.
Yet, the proposal also exposes the delicate balance in city politics. For Sakaja, any move seen as oppressive toward hawkers risks alienating a significant voter base. For Alai, the push highlights his growing influence and signals his readiness to challenge the county leadership head-on. Conclusion The call for uniforms for hawkers in CBD is more than a proposal about street trade. It touches on the broader issues of insecurity, governance, and political accountability in Nairobi. Alai has placed the ball firmly in Governor Sakaja’s court, demanding concrete solutions rather than promises.
Whether the county adopts the idea remains to be seen. But what is clear is that the debate will shape not just how the city is managed but also the political fortunes of both allies and critics within City Hall.