The Nairobi County Government has launched a sweeping operation targeting tea and coffee hawkers, ordering them off the city’s main avenues and into designated backstreets — a bold move aimed at cleaning up the Central Business District (CBD) and restoring order.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 18, Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria announced that hawkers selling hot beverages will no longer be allowed to operate on major roads such as Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road.
“We have launched an operation targeting these hawkers, who will now be required to operate like any other hawkers — strictly within designated areas (back lanes),” Mosiria declared.
This crackdown follows an earlier notice from January 6, 2025, warning vendors of legal action if they continued hawking in restricted areas. Mosiria now says enforcement is officially underway.
Mosiria further revealed that his department has initiated a major crackdown on hawkers using disposable cups and single-use plastic bags — vowing to also go after the suppliers of the banned packaging.
“We have noted with great concern the rapid increase of tea and coffee hawkers in the CBD who are using disposable cups and single-use plastic bags,” Mosiria said. “Most do not carry litter bins. This waste ends up all over the CBD and eventually blocks our drainage systems, contributing to flooding during rains.”
The county cites mounting concerns over growing litter, clogged drains, and unhygienic conditions as key reasons behind the purge. Officials say the rampant plastic pollution has turned tea vending into a public nuisance.
The move comes just days after food vending kiosks in Gikomba Market were shut down for unhygienic practices. Mosiria, who led the raid, warned that more closures will follow across the city.
“We found traders selling fish in extremely unhygienic environments — some preparing food near open urinals,” Mosiria said. “This is completely unacceptable. We will take firm action against those endangering public health.”
With this tough stance, Nairobi is sending a clear message: Clean up or clear out.
