People blowing their nose without handkerchief in public to be jailed – Nairobi passes new law

The act of blowing your nose without a handkerchief or tissue in public has been prohibited in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is aimed at keeping Nairobi clean and hygienic.

The new rules and regulations also applies to when you are caught urinating in undesignated spaces, spitting on the streets, sleeping in kitchens or food stores, among other misdemeanors.

Defaulters risk being fined anything between ksh10,000 and ksh500,000 or an imprisonment term of between six to 12 months.

They are contained in the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Bill, 2021 that has now been signed into law. Acting Nairobi Governor, Ann Kananu said Nairobi residents should familiarize themselves with the new law to avoid being caught offside.

The new law prohibits discharge of dirty water, sewer or effluent into streets or water channels, discharge of oils into roads or water channels, obstruction of roads or streets, and also prohibits residents from allowing trees and hedges in their homes or places of work to obstruct streets or footpaths.

The new law also criminalizes riding motorcycles or driving on footpaths, playing loud music, and smoking in undesignated places. A person found flouting the new law will be liable to a fine of anything between Sh10,000 and Sh500,000, and imprisonment of six to 12 months depending on the offence committed.

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Kananu said;

“Nairobi is the face of Kenya. We all need a clean and hygienic environment to live and work in.”

County executive member for Environment, Energy, Water and Sanitation Larry Wambua thanked Riruta MCA Kariuki Kiriba for coming up with the bill at the assembly and ensuring that all stages were well articulated and now signed into law.

Wambua added that he will work tirelessly in ensuring that all is achieved as ordered by acting Governor Kananu.