Integrating Hawking In Nairobi Central Business District

Hawking is a trade activity mostly carried out on the street or roadside and usually an option for the poor since it requires minimal capital, use of own labour. It is mainly undertaken for basic survival. Decline in growth in industrial sector, contracting civil sector, economic recession and the institution of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) among other factors have promoted the growth of hawking trade. In 2003, it contributed 13 per cent to Kenyas¿ GDP and is still growing. The sector is though faced with numerous challenges in its operations such as conflicts and confrontations with the authorities, lack of recognition, eviction, unfavorable policies and regulatory frameworks, pavement use conflicts with pedestrians and formal businesses, lack of services and infrastructure among others. Previous efforts to manage and relocate the hawkers have not been successful as the hawkers have returned back to the streets. This book aims to find-out the nature of hawking trade, identify challenges and opportunities of practicing hawking, to examine policies, participatory and regulatory framework for integrating hawking in the CBD of Nairobi.