- A viral video shows a Nairobi hawker boldly confronting City Hall Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria.
- The officer asked her to vacate a spot next to a dustbin in town.
- The hawker claimed she was there before the dustbin and refused to move.
- She defended her right to do business, calling out perceived harassment.
- The video has sparked mixed reactions online, with many praising her courage.
A dramatic moment unfolded in Nairobi’s Central Business District after a hawker refused to vacate her selling spot near a public dustbin. The woman, who seemed deeply angered, boldly challenged City Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria in a standoff that was captured on video and has now gone viral.
The confrontation occurred as Mosiria was conducting a routine operation to decongest walkways and enforce city trading regulations. But this time, things didn’t go as planned.
In the video, Mosiria calmly requests the hawker to move from her location, saying she was blocking access to the dustbin. However, the woman quickly shut him down, saying she had occupied the spot long before the dustbin was placed there.
“Mimi nilikua hapa kabla ya hiyo dustbin. Hii dustbin ndio inifate, si mimi nitoke,” she argued.
Her fierce tone and confidence left onlookers amused and surprised in equal measure.
The video has triggered widespread reactions online. Some praised the woman for standing up for herself and defending her small hustle. Others questioned why hawkers continue to operate in restricted areas, creating conflict with authorities.
Many saw it as a reflection of the daily struggle Nairobi’s informal traders face trying to make a living amid strict regulations and limited space.
Chief Officer Mosiria has been under pressure in recent months, trying to balance city order with compassion for struggling hawkers. While some traders have agreed to cooperate and relocate, others have resisted, saying they feel targeted unfairly.
This encounter with the dustbin hawker now adds to Mosiria’s growing list of public confrontations with Nairobi traders.
The video may be funny to many, but it highlights a serious conversation about how city authorities and informal traders can coexist without tension. As Nairobi grows, so does the challenge of accommodating everyone.
