The Kenya National Alliance of Street Vendors and Informal Traders (Kenasvit) is an umbrella organization for urban street vendors and informal traders’ associations. Organising street vendors nationally is new in Kenya, though local organisations have been around for some time. These groups, 180 of which are members of Kenasvit, empower and provide stability to the millions of street vendors who currently work illegally in urban areas around Kenya.
Informal traders in Kenya are in desperate need of formal protections. They have been exposed to constant threats and attacks from the Central government and local authorities in almost all urban centres. The absence of a proper regulatory framework has been contributing to the current state of conflict leading to sporadic combats sometimes resulting in tragic loss of precious lives. Kenasvit works to ensure the welfare of its members, and to protect them from government harassment. Traders need recognition and protection under the law, and Kenasvit is pushing for legislation that will legalise street vending.
Kenasvit has been advocating for the Micro and Small Enterprises Bill, which has now been put before the Kenyan parliament. The bill will legalise street vending and offer important legal protections to the millions of informal traders in the country.
The organisation also aims to transform street vendors’ operations into more formal small businesses, with all the protections that those afford. They organise and empower informal workers, giving them business training and access to credit in order to improve their businesses. They advocate for street vendors at all levels of government, lobbying for favourable policies and legislation.
Capacity building is vital to reaching as many street traders as possible. Therefore Kenasvit trains member organisations and vendors to run organisations, negotiate with government and resolve conflicts on their own.
| Kenasvit's achievements |
- Through Kenasvit's advocacy the Micro and Small Enterprises Bill has been introduced into the Kenyan parliament.
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| The Facts |
- Street vending is illegal in Kenya, offering the millions of people who rely on it for income without any legal protection.
- There are 2.6 million informal traders in Kenya, nearly one quarter of whom are women.
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