Written By Lisa Murimi
Nairobi City residents caught spitting saliva in public will face arrest, Nairobi Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Moisria announced on Thursday night.Â
During a media briefing, Moisria expressed concern over the city’s rising hygiene issues, highlighting that many residents are unaware of existing bylaws that mandate cleanliness in public spaces.
To enforce these regulations, the county government plans to deploy officers across the city, monitoring streets to prevent spitting, urination, and littering.
Moisria urged residents to use handkerchiefs when necessary and emphasized that the enforcement would be strict.
The Nairobi County Nuisance Act explicitly prohibits depositing waste or spitting on footpaths. Offenders may face fines of up to Ksh10,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months.
Moisria also warned businesses in downtown Nairobi, stating that stricter hygiene measures would be enforced in areas where cleanliness standards are lacking.
Recently, 30 individuals caught urinating in public were ordered to clean the Nairobi Funeral Home, formerly the City Mortuary, as part of their punishment.
Moisria welcomed the court’s decision, hoping it would deter others from similar offenses.
The new crackdown is expected to surprise many residents, as awareness of these bylaws remains low.
