Sakaja Cracks Down on Illegal Parking and Hawking in Nairobi CBD
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a stern warning to motorists parking illegally on pedestrian walkways within the city, signaling a new wave of enforcement aimed at reclaiming Nairobi’s walkways for their rightful users—pedestrians.
In a statement made on Sunday, Sakaja said that vehicles found parked along pedestrian pathways will be towed without hesitation. This follows the circulation of a video on the governor’s social media platforms showing county enforcement officers towing away a car that had blocked a walkway.
“This person will be a lesson to others who try to use the walkways. Walkways are strictly for pedestrians,” Sakaja stated, vowing to maintain law and order in the central business district (CBD).
The warning comes as Nairobi County completes a series of infrastructure upgrades. On Friday, May 30, Sakaja confirmed the installation of cabro blocks on major pedestrian pathways—including sections of Moi Avenue—as part of a broader plan to improve pedestrian mobility and accessibility in the CBD.
The upgrades are not limited to walkways. The county has also installed modern street lighting systems across various parts of the city. According to Sakaja, these will enhance not only the visibility and ambience of the capital but also the general security for city dwellers at night.
This crackdown is part of a broader clean-up operation in Nairobi. Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria revealed on Friday that the county is working to regulate hawking in the city center. Going forward, hawkers will only be permitted to operate within designated hours and specific locations, a move meant to restore order and cleanliness in the CBD.
Mosiria also announced that Nairobi County is in the process of installing security surveillance cameras to bolster urban safety and monitor compliance with city bylaws.
He noted that many of these initiatives are inspired by lessons learned during a benchmarking tour in Rajkot, India—a city lauded for its cleanliness and efficient urban management.
“Back in India, we learnt a lot. Those guys are doing a good job in terms of managing their city. The city is clean. Why? No hawkers are allowed in the CBD; they have cameras everywhere. If they are seen hawking, they are apprehended, and the luggage is taken away for 30 days. If the goods are perishable, then they are taken to homeless homes,” said Mosiria.
With the new measures taking root, Nairobi residents can expect stricter enforcement and a city that prioritizes pedestrian comfort, safety, and order in its urban spaces.
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Sakaja Cracks Down on Illegal Parking and Hawking in Nairobi CBD