Watch out on county laws that can land you in jail

Anastacia Kemunto  cereals' seller at Kisii County municipal market at work in a picture taken on August 10,2015.The durability of the cereals is one of the weapons of maximizing profit as they are in stores during low season. Unlike perishable goods that render losses to business people due to bad weather. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Do you live in Nairobi City and have been harvesting rain water? Be warned. City authorities can land on your gate for breaking a city by-law. Never mind the fact that city taps have gone dry for months and the rain water is the only drop of hope. Feeling thirsty already? Hold on. It gets even hotter.

The city by-laws also forbid job seekers and those waiting for friends and relatives from idling for long hours in residential areas. County askaris have powers to arrest you and have you charged in court. If you are waiting for your girlfriend to exit her parent's gate and she's taking long, city authorities expect you to wait in a recreational area like a park, bus stage or better still a restaurant. Otherwise you have to go all the way to Uhuru Park, Jeevanjee Gardens, Central Park and City Park.