Effects of management strategies on the performance of street food vending in urban areas of Western Kenya

Street food (SF) vending is a common livelihood activity in many urban areas globally. It generates income for the vendors and contributes to the urban economy. However, the trade performs poorly due to the strategies used by urban authorities to manage the sector. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of urban management strategies on the performance of SF vending in Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia urban areas of Western Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was adopted for the study. Proportionate sampling and simple random sampling were used to select respondents in each urban area. A total of two hundred and twenty-four respondents were interviewed. Data was collected through questionnaires, observation checklists and photography. The questionnaire had a reliability Coefficient value of 0.781. Findings show that SF vendors were hardly engaged in decisions that affected them neither did they participate in formulation of rules governing their trade. Failure to observe the rules often led to conflict with enforcement officers. Lighting and waste collection were the only services provided appreciably while support in training, credit and registration were largely lacking. Authorities also charged levies which reduced the SF vendors’ earnings considerably. The strategies, therefore, contributed to the loss of SF vendors’ livelihood assets including their customers, finances, physical facilities and food stuffs. Loss of these assets contributed to the poor performance of the trade. It is recommended that urban authorities embrace an inclusive approach whereby vendors are engaged in urban management issues and their views considered in decision making processes.