Hawkers in Thika town have been dealt a blow following the Kiambu county government’s directive that they will be allowed to operate at the town’s CBD from 6pm.
This follows complaints from shop owners and traders that the hawkers have been displaying their wares as early as 7 am outside their shops blocking their businesses, thus affecting sales.
There have been calls by shop owners to the county government to get rid of the hawkers from the CBD claiming that they have raided their customers and were no longer making profits.
The shop owners, mostly those who sell clothes, claimed that they pay as high as Sh150, 000 rent for their premises as well as licenses, but made losses due to the proliferation of hawkers in the CBD.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi during a consultative meeting with the hawkers, shop owners and matatu operators yesterday said the move is meant to bring order and streamline operations at the town.
He said the directive will be adequately effected, warning that anyone found flouting the rules will be effectively dealt with by the county government enforcement officers.
“After 6pm, the hawkers will be given the freedom and security to open their businesses. We felt there is no need to chase them away from the CBD completely because they depend on their business for a living,” he said.
The Governor added that the move is a temporary measure as the county government was looking for some secure area to relocate the CBD hawkers.
He said his mission is to ensure the hawkers operate in state-of-the-art and up-to-date stores which are well-secured to attract customers for higher sales.
“This is a temporary measure. By early next year, you will be operating in a decent place and making good sales so that you can uplift your living standards,” he said.
He said bringing order in Thika town will help in the quest to transform Thika into a city status, which is at an advanced stage.
He was accompanied by Thika town MP Alice Ng’ang’a alongside several other MCAs from the area. Ng’ang’a told the hawkers to form groups in readiness to receive the hustlers’ fund cash that MPs are pushing for in parliament.
Shop owners led by Chairman Thika Business Community Alfred Wanyoike welcomed the move terming it fair to all parties.
He said shop owners will no longer close their businesses due to reduced sales as hawkers ‘eat’ into their customers.
“More than 17 clothes shops have closed business in the past three months in the CBD due to low sales. This is a welcome move,” said Wanyoike.
