The Nairobi City county has by-laws that are always disregarded by the residents, but little do they know that such by-laws carry heavy penalties in forms of fines and jail terms on the extreme.
The by-laws, which are implemented by the city county government, are contained in the City Bylaws amended in 2019.
Some of the silent laws set by the city county include blowing your nose without a handkerchief or tissue paper, which attracts a fine ranging from between Ksh10,000 and Ksh500,000 or an imprisonment term of between six to 12 months.
Importuning or attempting to secure a female or male prostitute according to the by-laws is punishable. This attracts a fine of not less than Ksh10,000.
Other common mistakes that are punishable include washing, repairing, or dismantling any vehicle in a prohibited area except in the case of emergency, driving or permitting to be driven in any overloaded vehicles such that its contacts are spilling.
Signaling to guide or directing a driver of a vehicle into or out of a parking place is also illegal. This law is broken every day by people who are ignorant of the offence.
Crossing the road while wearing earphones or while speaking on your phone is also considered a an offense and attracts a fine of not less than Ksh2,000.
Defacing any building by writing signs or grafting is also an offense. Building owners are also required to repaint their premises annually.
If you have just landed in the city and you are very tired, don’t drag your suitcase or travelling bag on the tarmac. This is an offense because according to the county, you are damaging the road and obstructing other pedestrians. This also includes the use of skateboards and pulling hand carts.
If you want to keep a dog older than four months, you must get a license. According to county, these dogs bark and cause nuisance to neighbours. The only dogs that do not require this license are those used by the visually impaired and the police sniffer dogs.
Other nuisances listed by the county government include causing any risk to users through the destruction of a building or road, causing risk of users through inadequate fenced or unfenced land, lack of repair, protection, removal or enclosure; leaving things around that may make one to fall or and discharge a missile in or near a street.
Defecating or urinating on a street or any other space, conveyance of open food in a manner likely to cause contamination, willfully blocking a free passage or removal/displacement of any county property, playing any game, riding or driving or propelling on a foot path and depositing any type of material or waste on the streets.
The laws are aimed at maintaining law and order in the city and inform how residents carry themselves out.
