Cape Town – New laws and regulations aimed at keeping the capital Nairobi, Kenya clean have been put in place and could see perpetrators being fined up to Sh500 000 ($US4 570.53) or one year in jail, reports said on Monday.
According to Nairobi News, one risks “either being slapped with a Sh10 000 fine or a six-month jail term if you are caught blowing your nose, spitting or going for a short call in a public place in Nairobi”.
The Bill on Public Nuisance was enacted into law on Friday, August 20.
“This law is aimed at controlling nuisances in public places and at the same time empower the county authority in carrying out all necessary legal measures to ensure the county is maintained in a clean conducive environment,” the report quoted Nairobi County Deputy Governor Ann Kananu as saying.
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The law identifies public spaces like parks, buildings, squares, and open spaces.
The Standard said on Monday that the law also prohibits the discharge of dirty water, sewer, or effluent into streets or water channels, discharge of oils into roads or water channels, and obstruction of roads or streets.
It also prohibits residents from allowing trees and hedges in their homes or places of work to obstruct streets or footpaths.
“The Act empowers the county to take all lawful, necessary and reasonable practical measures for maintenance of the county at all times in a clean and sanitary condition, abatement and prevention of public nuisance and remedy any nuisance,” Nairobi county attorney Lydia Kwamboka was quoted as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
