Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Nairobi’s chief officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, has intensified efforts to maintain cleanliness in the city, tackling key hygiene challenges, including public urination.

Mosiria highlighted the issue of men urinating in public, often under the influence of alcohol.

Speaking in an interview with TV47, he revealed that offenders caught in the act were taken to the City Mortuary for a cleanup exercise as part of a disciplinary measure.

"I'm glad that at some point, we took them to clean City Mortuary. They swept and washed. We were instructed to take them to government institutions to do manual work, and I thought the best place to take them was City Mortuary so they could sweep and clean.

"We provided them with proper protective gear, dressing them in white overalls, even near the bodies. However, there were certain areas they were restricted from, as we couldn't expose them to places that could affect them. It served as a lesson. Public urination in town stopped. When someone realises they might be sent to clean there, they say no," he said.

Mosiria urged city residents to use designated public toilets, hotels, or bars when pressed, emphasising that facilities are available for use.

"If you are in the CBD, go to a county public toilet or a hotel with restrooms; they won’t deny you access."

Meanwhile, on Sunday, March 23, Mosiria, alongside other officials under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja, spearheaded a major cleanup operation in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD).

However, the exercise was hindered by matatu operators, hawkers, and shop owners who left vehicles and illegal structures on walkways, obstructing the cleaning process.

Mosiria warned that any vehicle or structure left in restricted areas after 10pm would be impounded without prior notice.

He stressed that previous engagements with stakeholders had been unfruitful, and non-compliance will now result in strict enforcement actions to maintain a clean and organised city.

"Any vehicle or structure left in restricted areas after 10pm will be impounded without prior notice. We have engaged in dialogue, but non-compliance will no longer be tolerated. Let us all adhere to the regulations to maintain a clean and organised city failure to do so will result in enforcement actions," he warned.

In other news, Mosiria condemned a viral video showing a county officer being assaulted while enforcing cleanliness regulations in the city.

Mosiria criticised the attackers for treating the officer like a criminal, reminding the public that he is also a father and husband merely performing his duties.

He accused hawkers of deliberately destroying their goods when confronted by county officials to garner public sympathy, emphasising the need for documentation during enforcement operations.

Source: TUKO.co.ke