30 arrested for urinating, littering in Nairobi CBD

Nairobi county officials on Monday night arrested at least 30 people found urinating and littering in the streets of Nairobi.

During the late-night operation, those apprehended by officials from the environment department at Nairobi County were caught unawares passing urine on walls, and pavements of several streets within the Central Business district.

Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria who led the operation affirmed their commitment to enforcing cleanliness and discipline across the city.

"Anyone caught urinating in the streets of Nairobi will be arrested and face legal action. Tonight, 30 have been apprehended in the CBD and will appear in court," he said. They are currently at the Central Police Station as they await arraignment.

The Nairobi Public Nuisance Act 2021 states that one risks being slapped with a Sh10,000 fine, a jail term of six months, or both for urinating or defecating in a public place.

At a fee, commuters in the Central Business District (CBD) can access the public toilets.

At a cost between Sh10-Sh20, one can access those facilities and is given a piece of tissue paper

At least 30 people were on Monday night arrested in a crackdown on those urinating on the streets and walls in Nairobi’s CBD.

The Nairobi Public Nuisance Act 2021 states that one risks being fined Sh10,000 or a jail term of six months, or both for urinating or defecating in a… pic.twitter.com/oTgHzgnQDI

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) August 20, 2024

Nairobi County has 68 public toilets with 18 located within the CBD.

However, they are not operational 24 hours a day and the Nairobi County government does not manage the facilities; they are the landlords.

Lack of availability of those facilities especially at night prompts some people to urinate on the roadsides.

The Chief Officer said the county will make plans to ensure more facilities are available for people to relieve themselves.

"We would want to see some of these areas run even at night to help those operating that time. They will be spread all over," Mosiria noted.

The Chief Officer also stated that there would be a crackdown targeting people who were found dumping and littering garbage.

Some parts of Nairobi's streets are known for littering, and street vendors were targeted by authorities trying to stop this habit.

Haile Selassie especially the stretch near Wakulima market that small-scale traders have occupied is always full of litter, especially in the evening.

The litter is mostly made up of vegetable covers, fruit peels, and unwanted products from the market.

Nairobi residents have also been urged to report illegal dumping around the city centre and the estates.