The Nairobi County government has issued new guidelines to matatu owners and hawkers to address challenges affecting cleaning efforts in the city center.
In a statement on Monday, Geoffrey Mosiria, the County Chief Officer for Environment, expressed concern over matatu stages being occupied by vehicles at night, which obstructs cleaning operations.
“Some vehicles are poorly maintained, abandoned in open spaces, or fail to manage their waste properly, contributing to environmental degradation,” Mosiria noted.
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To address these issues, he directed matatu owners to vacate the stages during designated night cleaning hours, keep their vehicles clean, and subscribe to licensed waste management services.
He also emphasized the need to stop unnecessary hooting and loud music that causes a public nuisance and ordered the removal of abandoned vehicles immediately.
Mosiria warned that violators of these guidelines would face enforcement actions as per the law.
The Chief Officer also issued a directive to hawkers, instructing them to clear their wares and belongings from streets and lanes by 10:00 PM daily to facilitate cleaning. “Failure to comply will result in belongings being treated as a nuisance and disposed of without prior notice,” he cautioned.
These directives follow a recent order issued on January 6, 2025, relegating hawkers to backstreets in the city center. Under the order, hawking is permitted only from Monday to Friday between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM, within the zone between Tom Mboya Street and Kirinyaga Road, while main CBD walkways remain reserved for pedestrians.
Hawkers have threatened to protest the new regulations, claiming they unfairly limit their operations.
