For those who like buying from the hawkers in the Nairobi CBD, you will soon be fined Sh30,000 if caught buying in un-designated areas, county trade executive Anna Othoro has said.

In an interview with the Star, Othoro said not only will residents be arrested but also hawkers as they are contravening the law.

“What is happening in the city is tantamount to indiscipline. Talking to these hawkers they say they are operating in the city centre because that is where the consumers are. So, people should stop blaming the county government.” Said Anna

As per the bylaws, those found contravening the law are fined Sh2000.

Previously, the county had planned to come up with a policy which will designate areas where hawkers will be allowed to conduct their business and what action will be taken on those found contravening it.

The policy would have also required hawkers to operate in saccos of not more than 100 members.

Anna however said a policy would not be effective enough in addressing the issues and will instead introduce a bill in the county assembly.

“What an act does is to make things easier. This will ensure that people abide by the law because the fines set will not be lenient. ” Noted Anna.

The trade executive also said they are having a hard time relocating hawkers to designated places owing to the court injunctions they have received from the hawkers.

“That’s the sad reality. The injunctions are against their removal. However, the law clearly states that there shall be no hawking in the CBD.” Added Anna.

The county has over 1000 hawkers who conduct their businesses in the city centre. They would be seen in the CBD as early as midday.

Othoro said traders with a Single Business Premise without an indication of their exact place of business is not authorized to conduct business and legal action will be taken against them.

However, newspaper vendors and shoe shiners will continue operating in the CBD, as long as they do not cause any obstruction.

Shoe shiners are supposed to be around public toilets and bus termini while news paper vendors are not supposed to be near banks owing for security reasons.