Residents of Nairobi will have to pay Ksh.10,000 fine or serve six months in jail for spitting on a footpath under a new proposed bill tabled in City Hall.
If passed, the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Bill 2020, is set to replace the outdated Nairobi City Council by-laws.
The bill which has gone past the first reading was tabled in the Nairobi County Assembly by Riruta Ward Representative James Kiriba and includes a raft of proposals.
Among the offenses that are set to attract a Ksh.10,000 fine is blowing your nose anywhere other than into a suitable cloth or tissue.
Misuse of a pavement like riding a motorcycle or driving a car will also attract a fine of a similar amount. Other offenses include defecating or urinating on the street or open space.
Leaving a dog to defecate on the street will also attract a fine while washing, repairing or dismantling a vehicle except in the case of an emergency in the Central Business District also being penalized.
Domestic animal farmers could also be penalized under the new proposed laws as rearing an animal, including poultry, that becomes a nuisance in the neighborhood will be considered an offense.
The bill defines a public nuisance as an act or omission that causes common injury, damage, or annoyance to the public or to the people who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity of the act.
Playing games in Nairobi that will cause damage to property or injury will also be penalized by shouting or using a bell, gong, loudspeaker, or other noisy instrument or driving a vehicle for advertisement purposes attracting a fine.
Stiffer penalties of Ksh.50,000 or a six-month sentence will be imposed on those found sleeping or residing in a kitchen or room where food is prepared or stored.
The bill further states that a subsequent offense will attract a fine not exceeding Ksh.100,000 or a jail term of a year or both.
Erecting a fence or tree that will impose danger to a person or vehicle using a street will be considered an offense.
