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Sonko's government allows Nairobi residents to break this law during the rainy season

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The Nairobi County Government, which is led by Governor Mike Sonko, has now granted special permission for city residents to break the law that bans harvesting of rain water.

The Director of Water and Energy Mario Kainga explained that some of the by-laws that are currently in place have been overtaken by events and residents will not be arrested for breaking them.

He explained that the ban against harvesting rainy water was introduced during the colonial times when asbestos was widely used in roofing.

He noted that in the past four decades, advanced technology has resulted in new roofing technology that does not involve the use of asbestos.

“The by-laws that bar rain water harvesting were made during colonial times…Most of the current buildings have had roofing renovations to have asbestos-free roofing and so anyone living in a building that was not built in the 50s and 60s should harvest rain water and use it for cleaning and toilet flushing as that will preserve tap water for cooking and drinking,” Kainga stated in an interview with Nairobi News.

The official added that the County Assembly was in the process of coming up with a new law that will make it legal for residents to harvest rain water.

In the meantime, however, Kainga stated that anyone harassed by County askaris for harvesting rain water should contact his office for intervention.

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