Bomet Municipality cracks down on illegal hawking and PSV operations

Bomet Municipality has announced a major crackdown on illegal trading and unauthorized public service vehicle (PSV) operations of illegal practices affecting public order and enhancing safety in the town.

This move by the municipality of Bomet comes after the growing concerns over practices that are obstructing traffic, violating municipality laws and thus endangering the pedestrians.

Earlier on Wednesday September 23, 2025, Bomet County Health Services Chief Officer (CO) Felix Langat, expressed concern over the growing number of businesses operating in the municipality without necessary documentation from the ministry of health.

Langat revealed that there have been an increasing number of people reporting to the health facilities in the county due to food poisoning in the county after a shocking discovery of a hotel operating within Bomet town that has been actively selling flamingo meat in the name of chicken.

A notice issued to the Bomet traders and PSV operators through the County Government of Bomet on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, specifically targets the unauthorized PSV Pick-up and the illegal trading and hawking.

“Prohibited Practices in the municipality includes; Illegal trading and hawking along highways, walkways, and parking lots, PSV operators picking and dropping passengers in undesignated areas along highways,” the notice reads.

According to the Municipality, these illegal activities are significantly contributing to traffic congestion, impeding the smooth flow of pedestrians, and creating serious safety hazards for all road users.

Municipality in order to ensure immediate compliance, it has outlined severe enforcement measures for those who disregard the new regulations set aside.

“Traders found selling in restricted areas will face confiscation of goods and legal penalties, PSV operators caught dropping passengers in undesignated areas will face heavy fines, impoundment, and prosecution,” the notice reads.

The Municipality further urged the town traders to utilize the designated markets and also to the PSV operators to restrict their activities by urging the operators to use designated markets, bus parks, and stages.