As elaborately explained in Anita Holmes’ book "If the Grass could talk", it is unclear what Kidero's grass would have to say following the aftermath of Pope Francis' visit.
No one was ready to miss the one in a lifetime moment to see the irresistible leader of the Catholic Church even if it was in passing.
Thousands of Nairobians thronged the road sides trampling mercilessly on the well-groomed lawns and flowerbeds that represent the pride of Dr Evans Kidero's hard work in beautifying the city of Nairobi.
Not even the hovering meek spirit that came with Pope Francis or the fines stipulated by the county government could stop faithfuls from getting just a glimpse of the Pontiff passing in his humble fleet of a Honda Ballade and Toyota Allion.
The November 26 prayer holiday did not help either as the vigilante youth who keep vigil of the lawns were probably somewhere praying for the country or for the county to increase their salaries.
Lawns along Uhuru Highway and University Way were the major victims with Waiyaki Way bearing the biggest destruction of all on its proximity to the University of Nairobi grounds where the Pope was officiating the mass.
However, this was not without revenge with many faithfuls especially ladies getting their shoes stuck in the trenches adjacent to the lawns along Waiyaki Way .
It is estimated that Nairobi County rakes about Sh9 million a week from fining pedestrians caught stepping on the grass planted ahead of United States President Barrack Obama's visit in July.
The disregard of its absurd expenditure of Sh48.9 million made Kidero deploy an army of over 50 youth to keep vigil and impose a Sh2 thousand fine on those stepping on the grass and flowerbeds.
As Anita Holmes says in her book 'If you're like most homeowners, your grass would be begging you to lay off the chemical fertilisers and pesticides and start taking care of it a little more naturally'. Nairobi County could count on Pope Francis’ blessings of rains to revive the grass.
However, if Kidero does not want to lose the almost Sh10 million weekly revenue, then he should ask for highway security footage from Safaricom and mandate his army of lawn caretakers to track down the culprits.
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