NEWS
Nairobi’s Eastleigh market in shutdown in three-day protest over threat from hawkers
NAIROBI—At least 45 shopping malls in Eastleigh have started a three-day shutdown from Wednesday, citing frustration by hawkers and garbage collectors.
The mall owners threatened that they would continue with the protest from Wednesday to Friday every week until their demand is addressed.
A scene in Nairobi’s Eastleigh on Wednesday when mall owners called for business shutdown, citing interference by hawkers. PHOTO: Courtesy.
The discussion to protest was initiated after hawkers stoned Moonlight Mall mid August when the management of the mall asked the hawkers to stay away from the entrance and exit of the mall premises. The stand-off caused a scene prompting the police to intervene and break the melee.
Eastleigh Business District Association chairman, Ibrahim Hussein said the businessmen in the area had invested at least Sh100 billion but decried interference by hawkers who he said blocked entry and exits of the malls.
He said Eastleigh contributes 35 percent of City Hall revenue to the tune of sh 1 billion, adding traders expected to be covered and their welfare taken cared of.
Ibrahim said the business community was not against hawkers.
“We have no problem with hawkers; we are only appealing to have them relocated. We have over 20,000 hawkers, only 200 were genuine,” he said.
Ibrahim said the business community would petition Nairobi governor, Dr. Evans Kidero to intervene and relocate the hawkers.
On a normal business day, hawkers troop to Eastleigh where they set up makeshift outlets along the First Avenue to trade mainly on clothes at a less cost than what is sold at the outlets in the shopping malls.
“Those hawkers who are chased from town find a safe haven in Eastleigh,” Ibrahim said.
