Mwangi wa Iria drafting bill to protect hawkers from harassment

Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria. He is drafting a bill that will protect hawkers from constant eviction and allocate them space. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Iria said despite hawkers contributing immensely to the country’s growth, they had been ignored and were constantly harassed by police officers.

  • The bill also proposes funds and trainings for the hawkers, according to the governor.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria is drafting a bill that will protect hawkers from constant eviction and allocate them space.

The proposal comes in light of eviction of hawkers from the streets of Nairobi, Eldoret and Mombasa.

The governor said through the bill, which will be classified as a private members bill, there will be structures that will see all hawkers represented in the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and national and international trade organisations.

Mr Iria said despite hawkers contributing immensely to the country’s growth, they had been ignored and were constantly harassed by police officers.

“They contribute over Sh3.6 trillion annually to our country’s economy but they are treated as criminals and it is time we stop criminalising the informal sector,” said the governor.

SMALL SCALE TRADERS

He said the bill seeks to have small-scale traders in Nairobi and other counties protected  by coming up with trade zones in addition to setting specific times that hawkers will be allowed to conduct business in cities and major towns.

The bill also proposes funds and trainings for the hawkers, according to the governor.

While addressing journalists in Gatanga on Friday, Mr Iria said the bill was ready but he wished to incorporate hawkers and other stakeholders’ views so that by the time it is presented in Parliament, all players in the informal sector have made a contribution.

CREATED EMPIRES

He said many tycoons in the country were once hawkers and from the simple beginnings they had created empires, therefore, small-scale traders should be motivated rather than being seen as criminals.

In future, said the governor, he will work with hawkers to sell coffee once the county established a milling plant because the traders were closer to residents.

He called on the legislators to support the bill as it was meant to improve the lives of wananchi.