Sh500 fine awaits you for stepping on Kidero grass
Twelve people were Monday fined Sh500 each for walking on the grass that has been grown in a drive to beautify Nairobi.
The offenders had been arrested in the morning by members of the county government’s Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement team, which was set up last week.
The county government has planted grass and flowers along Uhuru Highway and Mombasa Road under its beautification drive.
Residents have been making fun of Governor Evans Kidero’s administration after the grass, planted shortly before US President Barack Obama visited Kenya last month, did not grow well due to dry weather.
The condition of the grass has, however, since improved.
The lawn is commonly referred to as the ‘Kidero’ grass.
On Wednesday last week, Dr Kidero unveiled an enforcement team of 50 youths. One of their responsibilities is to ensure that pedestrians do not step on the grass and the flower beds.
The youths are also supposed to ensure no one dumps garbage on the grass and the flower beds.
On Monday, the team arrested several people, including the 12 who appeared before Magistrate M.W. Njagi and pleaded guilty to the offence.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure sanity is brought back to this great city,” Dr Kidero said on Monday.
He asked pedestrians to avoid dumping waste on the grass and the flower beds.
“Use the designated pathways or else you will be arrested,” he warned.
The county boss said he wants to ensure Nairobi is a leading investment and holiday destination.