In a sharp rebuke of unregulated informal commerce, Nairobi Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, revealed that hawkers at Green Park are misusing public toilets as storage facilities for goods and engaging in open‑air cooking—a practice that flagrantly violates city by-laws and endangers public health.
During a press briefing at the county headquarters, Mosiria detailed that the unauthorized use of these sanitary installations, initially designed to serve the local populace, has turned the site into a makeshift commercial hub.
“These developments pose serious health and sanitation risks,” he stated. “Not only is there a gross misuse of public property, but the open‑air cooking activities also create an environment prone to pollution and fire hazards.” His comments come amid growing public concern over the state of urban public spaces in Nairobi.
The legal framework in Nairobi is unequivocal on the matter. The county’s Public Health Act and local by‑laws prohibit the use of communal toilets for purposes other than their intended function.
In addition, open‑air cooking in areas not designated for such activities runs afoul of zoning regulations intended to safeguard environmental and residential quality.
Mosiria’s remarks underscore the challenges faced by local authorities in enforcing these regulations in areas where informal economic activity is a primary source of livelihood.
Analysts point out that the incident at Green Park is symptomatic of broader urban management issues. Informal hawking has long been part of Nairobi’s economic landscape, providing essential income for thousands of residents.
However, when such activities infringe on public health and sanitation, the tension between economic necessity and regulatory control becomes starkly apparent.
Public health experts warn that improper storage and the lack of proper waste management could lead to outbreaks of communicable diseases, while open-air cooking can exacerbate environmental degradation by contributing to air pollution and, in worst-case scenarios, spark unintended fires.
Policy observers note that while the current crackdown may signal a renewed enforcement drive by the Nairobi County Government, it also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks in managing informal economies.
Some experts argue that rather than only resorting to punitive measures, the county should consider establishing designated hawker zones with built-in hygiene facilities and controlled cooking areas. Such an approach would allow informal traders to continue their activities under a managed system, reducing the risk to public health while maintaining their economic contributions.
As the city grapples with the dual mandate of fostering economic opportunity and ensuring a healthy urban environment, Mosiria’s statement serves as a timely reminder that public infrastructure must be safeguarded.
The coming weeks are likely to see a mix of enforcement actions and policy debates as stakeholders push for a balanced solution that addresses both the socio-economic needs of hawkers and the imperative to protect public health and urban cleanliness.
