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On Monday at least 30 people were arrested in a crackdown on those urinating on the streets and walls in Nairobi.
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Officials from the environment department at Nairobi County staged the operation.
Image: SCREENGRAB
On an ordinary day, it is normal to see some peeing on walls and by the side of buildings.
You might be in your daily business in Nairobi City only to see a man, urinating on a wall with the warning "Do not urinate here", "Usikojoe hapa".
To curb this behaviour and ensure that the ammonia smells are a thing of the past, Nairobi City County Government on Monday arrested at least 30 people for urinating in the streets.
Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria said they had launched a strict crackdown on illegal urination in the County.
"Anyone caught urinating in the streets of Nairobi will be arrested and face legal action. Tonight, 30 people have been apprehended in the CBD and will appear in court," Mosiria said.
He said they are committed to restoring order and dignity in Nairobi.
But does Kenya have designated places for people to relieve themselves?
The busy areas of the city have public toilets which serve the residents and visitors alike.
These toilets are managed by different groups from the county to private persons.
To use one, you are required to pay either Sh10 or Sh20.
The public toilets are closed at night, which will result in night revellers using the sides of walls and corners.
What happens in other countries?
In many cities around the world, including in the US and the UK, public toilets are often available around the clock, with many being well-lit and maintained.
This accessibility helps reduce the incidence of public urination.
By contrast, the lack of 24-hour facilities in Nairobi, combined with high usage fees for existing restrooms, contributes to the problem.
According to the Guardian, after a nine-year battle for "urination equality" in which thousands took to the streets of the Netherlands, in April, Amsterdam said it would open more public toilets in October.
In June, in New York, US, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city is embarking on a new effort to expand access to public bathrooms across all five boroughs, according to Time Magazine.
"Part of making New York City a more livable city is tackling the little things—the things we don’t think about until we need them," Adams said.
"Access to public restrooms is high on that list, maybe even number one or two."
The city currently has nearly 1,000 restrooms that serve its population of about 8 million people.
BBC says in England's Leeds, they use "pee paint" as a way of encouraging people not to urinate in public.
The paint, which works by repelling liquids, has been applied on walls at "key spots" in the city, the council said.
It followed "thoroughly unpleasant" reports of people urinating against homes in the Hyde Park area, according to Jonathan Pryor, the council's deputy leader.
"If you relieve yourself against it, you will end up covered in your urine," Mr Pryor warned.
Most countries fine those who are caught urinating in public.
How the county plans to deal with the menace
Mosiria said they will open and prudently manage more areas for people to relieve themselves and dump waste.
"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," he said.
The lack of such facilities forces some of those in need to relieve themselves on the streets.
A number of these offenders are of opportunity rather than necessity.
What happened to the 30 people arrested in Nairobi on Monday?
On Monday at least 30 people were arrested in a crackdown on those urinating on the streets and walls in Nairobi.
Officials from the environment department at Nairobi County staged the operation.
The 30 were punished in the form of community service including cleaning the city streets, Uhuru Park and others to clean the City Mortuary now Nairobi Funeral Home.
Mosiria said this should be a lesson for others who have been urinating in public.
"Let this be a lesson to others, anyone who will be caught breaking the county laws by dirtying the city will be arrested and presented before a court of law," he said.
"We want to see responsibility when it comes to maintaining cleanliness in the city."