Mombasa Hawkers Ordered to Vacate Footpaths or Face Eviction
Hawkers and informal traders operating on pedestrian footpaths, pavements, and urban spaces in Mombasa have been given a final warning to vacate or risk forcible removal. The directive, issued by the County Department of Trade, targets areas within Mvita and Nyali sub-counties where unregulated trade has been blamed for congestion and obstruction of pedestrian movement.
County Chief Officer for Trade, Pauline Oginga, stated that the growing number of street vendors, particularly in hotspots like Kengeleni and Ukwala in Nyali, has led to overcrowded walkways and increasing traffic jams, especially around Links Road and the Kengeleni Junction.
Oginga confirmed that a formal notice has been delivered, warning traders and handcart operators to vacate by April 4, 2025. She emphasized that the county upholds law and order and is committed to protecting the rights of all residents, including pedestrians.
The decision, however, has sparked concern among affected traders. Many expressed frustration over the lack of alternative spaces for their businesses. Some, like a second-hand clothes vendor who has operated in the area for years, said the eviction could leave them without any means to provide for their families. Others urged the county government to engage with them and offer affordable or temporary trading zones.
Street vendors noted that their presence is not an act of defiance, but a reflection of limited space and high market costs. They called for regulation rather than total eviction.
Meanwhile, some residents welcomed the move, citing increased safety risks and blocked walkways caused by the traders. Pedestrians and boda boda operators expressed relief, saying that reclaiming public footpaths would restore order and improve mobility in busy parts of the city.
The county has yet to announce whether any relocation plans are in place for the affected traders.
In other news:13 Dead, 11 Injured in Tragic Kericho-Kaplong Road Crash Involving Matatu, Lorry and Mazda
Mombasa Hawkers Ordered to Vacate Footpaths or Face Eviction