Nairobi, September 9, 2025 — In a bold proposal addressing the rising insecurity and chaotic congestion in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has called for hawkers in the city centre to be required to wear uniforms, arguing that this move would greatly improve accountability and help restore order.
A Clear and Urgent Message
Posting on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Alai emphasized the urgency of the situation:
“There is a serious, urgent need to rein in the insecurity in the city. Have all hawkers wear uniforms.”
He noted that while uniforms alone wouldn’t resolve all security challenges, they would help regulate informal vending and make it harder for criminal elements to conceal themselves among unregistered traders.
Addressing PSV Congestion and Security Coordination
Alai’s proposal extends beyond uniforms. He also advocated limiting the number of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) entering the CBD at any given time to help reduce congestion and ease law enforcement operations.
Moreover, he insisted on stronger collaboration between Nairobi’s county administration and national security agencies, stating:
“Have a cooperation framework with the national security architecture.”
Criticism of Governor Sakaja’s Approach
The MCA didn’t hold back in his criticism of Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing him of favoring press appearances over tangible action.
“We need fewer press conferences and more action,” Alai remarked, in response to Sakaja’s press briefing on September 8 addressing the uptick in crime in Nairobi.
During that briefing, Governor Sakaja acknowledged the gravity of the security situation and called on citizens to stay vigilant.
“What I am appealing to you as the governor… we should take charge,” he said, wrapping up with, “the first work of any governor is to secure their people.”
The Context: A Lingering Informal Sector Challenge
Nairobi’s hawker presence remains a potent symbol of both entrepreneurial drive and civic disorder. The city government has repeatedly attempted to balance the welfare of informal traders with the need to maintain public order. In early 2025, hawkers were explicitly instructed not to operate on main thoroughfares like Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, and River Road. These streets were declared off-limits for trading activities in an effort to preserve pedestrian zones and traffic flow.
Nevertheless, enforcement has been inconsistent, and many traders continue to ply their trade in prohibited areas—prompting continued tension with county authorities.
Learning from Global Precedents
Alai pointed to international examples where formalizing street vending has yielded positive outcomes. In India, for example, the Street Vendors Act of 2014 mandates registered vendors wear uniforms or ID badges. Major metropolitan areas such as Mumbai and Delhi have implemented pilot programs where licensed hawkers wear jackets, aprons, or vests. This strategy enhances visibility, deters impersonation, and streamlines regulatory oversight.
While uniforms are not a one-size-fits-all solution to security, they can help law enforcement differentiate between legitimate traders and illicit operators.
A Long-Standing Proposal
This is not the first time Alai has proposed uniforms and identification for hawkers. In December 2023, he suggested a system combining color-coded uniforms and ID cards, arguing these would simplify trader identification and allow county askaris to monitor operations more effectively. He even floated the idea of a centralized digital registry—“juakali.nairobi.go.ke”—to log information about each hawker: their services, locations, and identities.
In that earlier proposal, Alai further recommended assigning hawkers to specific streets to enhance safety and manage crowding:
“You cannot have everybody operating everywhere; get the reflectors… make sure they are noticeable while navigating the busy streets.”
These proposals underline a broader ambition: formalize and protect the informal sector while promoting public safety.
Political Undertones and Local Tensions
Alai’s call for uniforms arrives amid a politically charged backdrop. Just a week before his latest proposal—a 60-day impeachment effort against Governor Sakaja was put on hold. Alai and his fellow MCAs agreed to allow the governor time to adjust his administration’s strategy and improve oversight.
Alai has consistently spotlighted issues like failing garbage collection services and stalled infrastructure projects, accusing the county leadership of falling short on essential public services.
Advantages and Practical Considerations
Enforcing uniforms among hawkers could yield several advantages:
- Enhanced Identification & Accountability: Uniforms and IDs would make it easier to distinguish registered traders from criminals exploiting vending as cover.
- Reduced Illicit Activity: Clear visibility might dissuade opportunistic crime or fraud among street vendors.
- Better Regulation: Authorities could deploy security personnel more efficiently and maintain vendor discipline.
- Improved Public Confidence: Citizens may feel safer in CBD areas when hawking is orderly and easily monitored.
However, the concept also presents challenges:
Design and Implementation Costs: Procuring uniforms, distributing ID cards, and establishing a digital registry require budget and administrative effort.
Enforcement Difficulties: It may be difficult to monitor and ensure uniform compliance among all hawkers without adequate staffing.
Resistance from Traders: Some hawkers might resist mandated uniforms, seeing them as restrictive or expensive.
Integration with Informal Economy: Nairobi’s informal sector operates on limited margins; over-formalization may disrupt livelihoods if not handled carefully.
What Next for Nairobi’s Informal Sector?
For Alai’s proposal to move beyond rhetoric, several steps would be necessary:
Stakeholder Consultations: Engage hawker associations, street vendors, county officials, and security agencies to co-design the uniform and ID system.
Pilot Programs: Launch the initiative in a limited zone—e.g., along a busy market street—to evaluate feasibility and impact.
Infrastructure Investment: Allocate resources for production and distribution of uniforms and IDs, plus the development of a registry portal, in line with Alai’s 2023 proposal.
Clear Enforcement Strategy: Deploy appropriately trained askaris or security officers to monitor compliance, supported by legal guidelines.
Public Awareness Campaign: Inform both traders and consumers about the benefits of the initiative—enhanced safety, professional recognition, and greater order.
Review and Adaptation: Collect data on crime rates, vendor compliance, public feedback, and revise the policy as needed.
Broadening the Conversation
Beyond uniforms, Alai’s recommendations expose broader reflections on Nairobi’s governance:
The tension between formal regulation and informal livelihoods.
The city’s evolving leadership under Sakaja, who continues to face scrutiny from elected lawmakers.
The possible role of digital tools (like vendor databases or ID platforms) in bridging service delivery and civic inclusion.
Conclusion
MCA Robert Alai’s proposal marks a creative twist in policy thinking—combining visible vendor uniforms and tighter coordination with PSVs and national security to address Nairobi’s insecurity. While uniforms alone won’t solve crime problems, they represent a step toward formalizing and managing the expansive informal economy in Kenya’s capital. Strategic implementation—backed by stakeholder engagement, enforcement, and digital support—could turn Alai’s idea into a local success story.
As Nairobi continues to grapple with security, congestion, and informal-sector challenges, this initiative may offer a model worth piloting—and possibly replicating elsewhere.