Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has warned motorists who park on pedestrian pathways in the Central Business District (CBD) that the county will not tolerate misuse of walkways and violators will face strict enforcement including towing of vehicles.
No More Parking on Sidewalks
On Sunday, June 1, Sakaja said pedestrian walkways are off-limits to all vehicles. This followed a video he posted on his social media showing county officials towing away a car that was using a pedestrian path illegally.
“This person will be a lesson to others who try to use the walkways. Walkways are strictly for pedestrians,” — Governor Sakaja
The message is clear: Nairobi County is serious about protecting public walkways and pedestrian safety.
Upgraded Pedestrian Pathways for a Modern City
Just days before the announcement, Sakaja confirmed that the county had completed the installation of cabro blocks along key city walkways such as Moi Avenue to:
- Enhance pedestrian mobility
- Improve urban accessibility
- Promote a cleaner, organized CBD
These infrastructure upgrades are part of the broader initiative to modernize Nairobi’s cityscape and prioritize non-motorized road users.
Modern Street Lighting for Boosted Safety
Alongside the new pedestrian pathways, Nairobi has upgraded its street lighting systems to:
- Improve nighttime visibility
- Enhance urban safety
- Uplift the city’s ambience and beauty
Sakaja said these will create a more secure and pedestrian-friendly environment in the CBD.
Crackdown on Illegal Hawking Begins
This is not limited to motorists. Nairobi’s Chief Environment Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, announced that the county is now regulating street hawking in the CBD. As part of a larger cleanliness drive:
- Unlawful hawking will be stopped
- Vendors will be limited to specific times and designated zones
- The aim is to restore order and hygiene in public spaces
Nairobi to Install Security Cameras in the CBD
To enforce these new regulations, Nairobi is also installing surveillance cameras across the city. This will help:
- Monitor illegal activities
- Deter petty crime and disorder
- Improve urban governance and security
Mosiria said these are urban management strategies they learnt during a benchmarking trip to Rajkot, India.
“Back in India, we learnt a lot. Those guys are doing a good job managing their city. The city is clean. No hawkers in the CBD. They have cameras everywhere. If you hawk, they apprehend you and confiscate the goods for 30 days,” — Geoffrey Mosiria
The Bigger Picture: A Cleaner, Safer, More Livable Nairobi
These are the latest moves by the Nairobi County Government to enforce the law, order and public safety. With the city congested, the county is trying to:
- Respect public spaces
- Stop lawlessness in the CBD
- Make Nairobi a modern African capital
What Motorists and Traders Need to Know
Motorists:
- Do NOT park on pedestrian walkways.
- Expect your car to be towed if found violating this rule.
- Stick to designated parking areas only.
Street Vendors:
- Hawking in the CBD is being regulated.
- Expect designated hours and zones to be strictly enforced.
- Non-compliance may lead to confiscation of goods.