Eastleigh

Eastleigh businesses back hawker evictions on Yusuf Haji Avenue following violations

City askaris kick out all hawkers from Yusuf Haji Avenue in Eastleigh. (Abdirahman Khalif)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Thursday, May 16, 2024

Mohamed also stated that it is not permissible in Islam to conduct business on the road. "It is haram to do business on the road, it is against the teachings of Islam."

The Eastleigh Business District Association supports the eviction of hawkers from Yusuf Haji Avenue and all other roads in Eastleigh.

The association claims that hawkers have violated an agreement and deserve to be removed from the streets.

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According to the agreement, hawkers are allowed to start their businesses from 5 pm in Eastleigh. However, some hawkers have recently begun parading their wares as early as 9 am

Mohamed Adan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Eastleigh Business District Association, told The Eastleigh Voice that hawkers might be banned permanently from Yusuf Haji Avenue.

Speaking from his office on Thursday, Mohamed said hawkers do not pay rent, tax, or business registration fees but still seek the same rights as shop owners.

He added that hawkers create chaos by blocking roads with their wares, making it difficult for motorists and pedestrians to move freely.

Mohamed also stated that it is not permissible in Islam to conduct business on the road. "It is haram to do business on the road, it is against the teachings of Islam."

Despite this, Mohamed noted that the association initially allowed hawkers to trade from 5 pm because as human beings, they also need to pay bills and need to earn a living.

"We let them trade from 5 pm, but see what happened," he added.

Responding to claims from hawkers that they paid Sh100 to city askaris, Mohamed said such payments were illegal and those collecting the money were doing so unlawfully.

He also mentioned that the association will soon meet with City Hall officials and hawkers to find a solution to the problem.

The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for discussions to resolve the ongoing conflict over street vending in Eastleigh even as Mohamed insists no hawker will be allowed on the road.

Nairobi City County askaris forcefully removed hawkers from Yusuf Haji Avenue on Wednesday without providing any reason.

The usually busy road quickly became deserted as hawkers hurriedly packed up their merchandise to avoid losing them. This unexpected action by the city askaris also disrupted shopping activities, leaving customers who came to the area unable to find their usual vendors.

This incident comes just days after a similar confrontation on 8th Street at Arafat Shopping Mall, where some Kanjo officials were stoned and forced to leave after disrupting businesses.

A video of that incident went viral, with many Kenyans criticising the city askaris for being an enemy to small business owners in Nairobi.

Hawkers expressed their frustration and confusion over the askaris' actions.