For the past four years, Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have tried passing Bills that have left many bewildered by how hilarious some of them seemed. Either the laws interfered with the locals' way of life or were just completely bizarre.
1. Being arrested for farting in public
Passing wind is a normal body process, though not considered courteous in a public setting. A legislator in the Mombasa County Assembly must have been so disturbed by public farts that he sought to have it outlawed.
He sought to have it made illegal to pass wind in public. His colleagues, however, were of a different opinion and his Bill did not have the wind to sail it through to become a law.
The lawmakers argued that the process of evidence collection would be a tedious and extremely uncomfortable affair for the law enforcers.
2. No walking with bathroom slippers in town
A Kakamega MCA must have noticed that many of the residents were fond of walking in the streets with bathroom slippers. His Bill to stop the behavior, however, did not see the light of day as it encroached on a culture that was deeply rooted among the locals.
To make matters worse, he was almost kicked out of town by disgruntled locals who took his action as an invasion to their right to show off their feet.
3. Banning cars and motorbikes in the town
This is one law that actually passed the House. The Bill had been motivated by the fact that Lamu was gazetted as a UNESCO world heritage site. The legislatures wanted the town to maintain its old charm by encouraging residents to move about using a donkey.
The locals were of a different opinion not wanting to be taken back to the previous decade and continued with their modern motorbikes and cars.
4. Incriminate use of mosquito nets
The law suggested by Kisumu County minister for health, Dr Ojwang Lusi, would have people arrested for using mosquito nets donated by the government for purposes other than preventing malaria.
Among the offences listed included; fishing, fencing kitchen gardens or being preserved for special guests as family members brave mosquito bites.
The county health department had expressed frustration in combating malaria incidences because the nets provided were being diverted to other uses.
5. Encourage intermarriages for peace
Kabarnet Ward Representative Johana Chebon sponsored a Bill that would encourage intermarriages among the warring Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus communities so as to stop recurrent cattle rustling cases in Baringo County.
6. Women taking Boda Boda rides
In Kisumu County, women who had the tendency of siting inappropriately on boda bodas would be fined if the former minority whip Carolyne Owen’s idea to make it illegal for women to ride with their thighs exposed was passed.
She claimed it was indecent and was tempting boda-boda riders because of the inappropriate contact.
7. Retrieve skull of Tribal hero
A motion at the Kisii County Assembly sought the repatriation of the skull of legendary Otenyo Nyamaterere, who was allegedly hanged by colonialists and his head shipped to England during World War II.
8. Church tithes
Makueni County almost donated some of its resources to the church if a Bill proposed by Majority leader Francis Mutuku had been passed.
He quoted the Bible stating that it was the mandate of the House to give "10 percent of our income" to the church for its development.
9. Allowing mother tongue in the County Assembly
In Kakamega, Speaker Morris Bumula had sought to have members allowed to speak in Luhya since a section of lawmakers found it difficult to speak in English or Kiswahili.
10. Crime to be in one place for too long
Nairobi County criminalized sitting in non- recreational areas for long periods of time, leaning against flower pots and pavements as well as spitting and blowing noses along pavements.
