‘Let’s not support illegality’ – Mosiria backs hawkers but calls for order in Nairobi
By Charles Ouma, March 12, 2026Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, has called for order while confirming his support for hawkers in Nairobi.
In a statement on his X account on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Mosiria noted that while hawkers are a necessary part of city life and are struggling to earn an honest living in the city, supporting illegality is not an option.
He added that the county government cannot sit back and watch them erect illegal structures as markets constructed for them remain empty.
@HonMosiria
“Nipe maoni vile tutasaidia wakulima wadogo. But again, we can’t sit down as a government and watch them break the law, creating illegal structures in the name that they are poor and must earn a living while our markets are empty,” he stated.
He emphasised the need for order in the city while stating that hawkers need to operate within the law and at designated places.
“It’s illegal, and let’s not support illegality because we must have order in our capital city. Lakini hiyo haimaanishi kwamba hawkers hawana maana, they matter the most. Ni wananchi wetu na wanatafuta riziki halali, (That does not mean that hawkers are useless, as they are an important part of the city, hustling to earn a living)” he said.
He added that hawkers must occupy the markets constructed for their use, which have remained empty as many opt to erect structures along roads and sell their wares on the streets, resulting in chaos as pedestrians jostle for space with vehicles, motorbikes and traders.
“Kile tunasema ni kwamba lazima kuwe na utaratibu, tuwasaidie kufanya biashara zao kwa njia iliyo halali, kutumia masoko yaliyopo na kuhakikisha jiji letu linaendelea kuwa na mpangilio na heshima,” he added.
His remarks come in the wake of demolitions across several areas of the city as the government moves in to restore order and kick out illegal occupants of road reserves.
Over the last few days, demolitions have happened in Githurai, Roysambu, and at Uhuru market.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged malice in the demolitions, claiming that Kenyans from a particular region have been impacted the most.