EFFECTS OF ONGOING KIOSKS DEMOLITIONS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID

Demolished Kiosks at Jonsaga-Huruma

Having worked at GSU Headquarters, I had an opportunity to see what was once called Waihenya /Allsops shopping center transform from a fairly clean shopping center to an eyesore. This happened after the construction of Thika Super Highway where the old center was replaced by shanties that housed food kiosks, wines and spirits shops and mobile money transfer shops among other small businesses. Sadly, this place had poor drainage, no reliable water and sanitary facilities and I always wished that cholera outbreak should not strike as close to whole GSU fraternity could have been affected if not wiped out not forgetting touts and drivers who frequented the place. 

Due to the strategic location of this center, boiled maize, eggs, smokies and sausage vendors among other business men and women invaded pedestrian paths, any available space and all was chaos. This happened under the watch of relevant government agencies whose mandate is to ensure that this does not happen. The reality is that cash changed hands and county government officials used to receive the same in the name of allowing these folks set shop. 

Food Kiosk in Portland Oregon

Earlier this year, partial completion of the Outering road resulted to demolition of the kiosks and shanties that led to closure of all the small businesses. To me this was a plus since I lived in fear of disease out break and also pain of seeing GSU officers languish in wine and spirits shops, pool table games and a good number of them lose their families to ladies who lay in wait just to fleece off these officers the little they were left with in their pay slips. 

Little did I know that this trend would later be replicated in Kasarani, Mutindwa, Karen shopping center and other areas in the City.  Whereas we must not allow mushrooming of shanties, setting up of businesses along the road without care for safety, occupation of pedestrian walks and bicycle lanes by hawkers in our cities in the name of creating employment, we must not ignore the bigger picture.

Individuals who used to run these small businesses must be taken care of since there is a market that they serve and this goes a long way towards making sure that such folks are able to put food on their tables, pay their bills and also grow our economy. Ignoring their plight is suicidal and it means that petty crime will be on the rise, families will breakdown and even suppliers of these folks will record reduced sales in the long run. Chamas and banks will also be on the losing end as loan default rates will be on the rise. 

Hawker selling handbags in New York

I once traveled to Portland-Oregon and I noted that food kiosks are not banned there but are serviced with power connection, gas, clean water and relevant government agencies ensure that they pose no health risks to those who frequent them. Over the lunch hour, business executives and other folks flock these kiosks for their favorite delicacies and at the end of the day, people are able to earn a living. A quick at New York City reveals that we have hawkers in the streets, bicycle boda bodas and other small businesses not forgetting beggars just like we have in Kenya. What I noted I that they are regulated and there is order to the benefit of all. 

Therefore, we must stop criminalizing poverty in Kenya. We must work towards creating solutions to ensure that anyone willing to make an honest living by running a small business is able to do so, within the law, in a secure and safe environment and above all in a regulated way. Whereas it may not be an easy task, hawkers can be registered and issued with identification numbers/licenses so as to tame ill filtration by thugs and other economic saboteurs who have no care for our country. Certain areas can be designated to sell certain goods for order too. 

Boda boda rider in New York

As a long term measure, we must mercilessly go after all who grabbed public market spaces and initiate public private partnerships to develop such markets and in return give our people space to earn a living without causing them unnecessary trauma.

County government officers, National government officers who sell roadside spaces to cartels who in return let or re sell these spaces to Kenyans who end up losing their structures to demolition squads must be brought to account lest impunity continues.

Certain streets can be set aside within the CBD to allow hawkers sell their wares in an organized and civilized way without subjecting them to cruel county government officers who have in the past been accused of Killing, Maiming, extorting and even confiscating wares just for cash and not to bring sanctity in our cities. 

Whereas market spaces may not be enough, the government can also undertake compulsory acquisition of land where possible or buy off land from individuals for the sake of creating more space for small business men.

The above suggested solutions may not be exhaustive but I honestly think that the current demolitions without providing alternatives will boomerang on us and the long term effect may take us ages to sort them out. 

Meanwhile, the demolitions continue.