Nairobi Governor Sakaja Addresses Reports on Uhuru Park and CBD Hawker Concerns

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has clarified two contentious issues in the city on the reopening of Uhuru Park and the regulation of hawkers in the Central Business District (CBD).

Speaking on Uhuru Park, the Governor debunked reports suggesting the imposition of entry fees once the park reopens. The governor reaffirmed his commitment to free public access to Uhuru Park with consistency with his previous announcement in 2022. 

The park, currently undergoing renovation by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), is expected to be accessible to the public before the 2nd edition of Nai Fest scheduled for December. This clarification is to allay public concerns over potential entry charges.

In response to the hawker situation in the CBD, the governor emphasized that the directives issued on October 25 should not be misconstrued as a ban. Instead, they represent an agreement to regulate hawker activities in the city. 

According to him, this new arrangement is to designate specific locations and operating hours for hawkers. The designated streets will see hawker activities commence at 4 pm on weekdays.

The decision to regulate, rather than ban, CBD hawkers has prompted discussions among the public, with varying perspectives on the potential impact of this regulatory approach on businesses in the city.