The Nairobi City County government has issued a firm warning to members of the public who purchase items from hawkers operating in restricted areas, cautioning that they too risk arrest and prosecution under new enforcement measures.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Chief Officer for Environment and Public Health Geoffrey Mosiria said the county is intensifying efforts to restore order in the city by targeting both illegal traders and the customers who support them.

“Effective enforcement will no longer focus solely on hawkers. Individuals who knowingly buy goods from vendors in prohibited zones will be treated as offenders under the law,” Mosiria announced.

He argued that supporting informal trade in undesignated areas contributes to the unlawful occupation of public space, obstructs pedestrian walkways, increases environmental pollution, and disrupts the city’s planning framework.

“Just as street vending in restricted zones violates county laws, so does facilitating or encouraging that offence directly or indirectly. This is clearly provided for under Kenyan law,” Mosiria said.

The directive is anchored in the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act, among other local statutes, which empower the county to act against anyone found aiding unlawful activities in public spaces.

Mosiria pointed to global best practices in cities like Kigali and Singapore, where both illegal vendors and their clients face legal consequences as part of strict urban management strategies.

While recognizing the economic importance of informal trade, the county stressed that hawkers must operate only within officially designated areas.

Mosiria also condemned what he described as theatrics by some hawkers who dramatize enforcement actions to win public sympathy, saying such displays do not alter the legal framework.

“These emotional outbursts, while dramatic, do not change the law. Selling in restricted spaces remains illegal,” he noted.

He reiterated the county’s resolve to restore public order and encouraged informal traders to take advantage of existing vending zones provided for their use.

In a separate initiative aimed at improving cleanliness in the city, Mosiria said Nairobi County has begun rolling out new litter bins across the Central Business District to support responsible waste disposal.

He warned residents against tampering with or misusing the bins, adding that anyone found dumping garbage in public areas or stealing the bins will face immediate legal consequences.

“Dispose of waste responsibly or be ready to face the law. The installation of litter bins is ongoing, and enforcement against illegal dumping takes effect immediately,” he said.