Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai on Tuesday, September 9 proposed radical reforms within the Nairobi CBD, starting with requiring hawkers to wear uniforms in the city centre. Alai, who has been at the forefront of calling for accountability in the Nairobi County government, was critical of the Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja's press conference on Monday where Sakaja addressed the state of security in the CBD.
While Sakaja announced a raft of measures from his county government during Monday's press conference, Alai, seemingly unconvinced, slammed the county boss for what he described as minimal action from his administration. "We need fewer press conferences and more action," Alai said. "There is a serious, urgent need to rein in the insecurity in the city." Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai during a past event in Nairobi.
DPPS According to the vocal County Assembly member, hawkers needed to be in uniform in the CBD, while the number of Public Service Vehicles (PSV) in the city centre need to be limited at any given time to restore order. Further, Alai also called on the city county government to closer collaborate with "the national security architecture." The presence of hawkers within Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) has remained a longstanding and contentious issue, with Governor Sakaja's administration often grappling to strike a delicate balance between accommodating the needs of informal traders and upholding the broader interests of the county.
In January, hawkers were warned against engaging in business along main streets and roads, which the county government insists are meant for pedestrians and not for trading.
