did some reading on this



the Local Government Act (Cap. 265) empowers local authorities to transfer, lease or allocate land for temporary use. the local authorities also have the mandate to enact bylaws as may be necessary. The Nairobi city council has enacted by laws that prohibit cultivation on public streets and rearing of nuisance livestock. Section 144(c) of the same laws prohibits cultivation of unoccupied or unenclosed lands including land belonging to private persons, government or local authorities by unauthorized persons.

the Public Health Act (Cap 242), section 157 (1) empowers the Minister of Health to regulate or prohibit cultivation or irrigation within and around townships.


the Local Government Act, section 155 (b) permits agricultural activities and rearing of livestock including provision of services that support them. The services may include extension education and prevention of outbreak and spread of diseases. Further, section 155(c) provides for the cultivation of famine relief crops by poor households to support themselves in any part of the country where there is a likelihood of foodstuffs shortage. Notably, urban farming has thrived amidst the legal uncertainty along roadsides, railway lines, under power lines, along rivers and virtually in almost every open public space in Nairobi and its outskirts