Eastleigh hawkers to be moved to stalled Pumwani Hospital wards
The Nairobi county government has started the process of relocating more than 20,000 hawkers from Eastleigh market to the stalled Nyayo Wards opposite Pumwani Hospital.
The Pumwani Maternity Nyayo Wards, with a 300-bed capacity, were to be revamped at a cost of Sh544 million by the Ministry of Health.
Speaking to Nairobi News, county planning minister Christopher Khaemba said the county government had started clearing the bushes and would build a public toilet for the hawkers.
“The Nyayo wards will serve as an alternative for the hawkers as the space is enough for all of them to do business after we refurbish the wards,” said Mr Khaemba.
Last Thursday, the hawkers marched to City Hall, demanding that they be allowed to do business in Eastleigh after 4pm.
Eastleigh Business District Association chairperson Ibrahim Hussein urged the hawkers to accept the alternative space.
County health executive Bernard Muia, however, said the department had not been involved in the decision.
“This thing was done behind my back,” said Dr Muia.
The health minister, however, said a technical team was on the ground to work out the modalities and a report would be made to the county.
