Nose Blowing and Urinating in Nairobi Public Spaces to Attract Sh10,000 Fine or 6-Month Jail Term

Acting Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu on Friday signed the Public Nuisance Bill, 2020 into law.

The new law, which seeks to bring order and sanity in the city, proposes a Sh10,000 fine or a six-month jail term for those found spitting or blowing their nose in public spaces within Nairobi. Public spaces include squares, buildings, parks, recreational grounds, or open spaces.

“The objective of this Law is to provide for the control of public nuisance and empower the county to take all lawful necessary and reasonably practicable measures for the maintenance of the county at all times in a clean and sanitary condition,” Ms. Kananu said.

The law also makes urinating and defecating in the open as well as lighting fires without authorization from the County Secretary a punishable offense. It also considers riding a motorcycle or driving a vehicle on a footpath a public nuisance and an offense punishable by law.

Anyone found washing, repairing, or dismantling a vehicle within the city centre except in the case of an emergency will also pay a fine of Sh10,000 or be jailed for six months.

Hawking, selling, distributing, or advertising any article or event on any public road or street shouting, using any bell/gong/loudspeaker, or other noisy instruments are also outlawed. Anyone found driving a vehicle for the purpose of exhibiting advertisements without statutory authority will also be punished.

Other offenses under the law include leaving a dog to foul a public road or street and keeping animals or poultry which is a nuisance to residents within a neighborhood.