4 Most Bizarre Laws in Kenya

Kenya has had some bizarre laws that were recognized by the Constitution and some are humorous to state the least.

Legislation from how one can have their own Coat of Arms, to buildings that have their own laws and rules on how animals should be treated were recognised by the constitution.

1. College of Arms Law

Enacted in 1968 is the college of arms law that allowed anyone in Kenya to have a coat or arms which is an official shield or seal.

Schools have their own coat of arms, there is also the Kenyan coat of arms, which has lions, a shield and spears while Counties have unique sigils, which must be registered.

[caption caption="The McMillan Memorial Library"][/caption]

You can have your own personal coat of arms including six copies of the design, a blazon, and an application filing fee.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, lawyer Nelson Havi however, stated that the bylaw calls them logos and every individual is allowed to have their own.

2. McMillan Memorial Library Act

The iconic McMillan Memorial Library is the only building in Kenya protected by an Act of Parliament.

In 1938, the McMillan Memorial Library Act was passed and it has since been amended six times, the last being in 1966.

The land where the library sits cannot be sold and to sell it would require the law to either be repealed or amended and even then, the building would fall under sites and Monuments Act.

Mr Havi also told Kenyans.co.ke that there were other properties protected by the monuments law.

“Yes, the McMillan Memorial Library’s land can’t be sold, it is protected under the monuments Act as well as Joseph Murumbi’s grave at City Park,” Mr Havi stated.

3. Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act

Another bizarre law is the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act which states that to slaughter an animal in the presence of another is lllegal.

This law made it illegal to organize animal fights and also made it an offence to poison animals, however, killing rats, mice and other vermin was exempted.

“It is illegal to poison animals, the constitution protects them under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act but a vet can put them down if they are a danger to society,” Havi noted.

[caption caption="The statue of Dedan Kimathi found along Kimathi Avenue"][/caption]

4. Street Naming

The last unusual law is a law that makes it possible for a citizen to arm-twist the local authority to register their own street, however, with some regulations.

They need to apply and if the local authority approves, someone can go ahead and level, pave, channel, light, sewer and install drainage for the street then the local authority will name the street after the person.

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