Nairobi, Aug. 26 -- Standing through a sunroof or leaning out of a car window looks like harmless fun to many Kenyans. It happens often during wedding convoys, on game drives, and in slow-moving traffic.

But under Kenyan law, this is a criminal offence, and it carries real consequences spanning small fines to prison terms, and manslaughter charges when someone falls and dies.

Advocate Mutua Josphat of F.M. Muteti and Co says many Kenyans misunderstand how strict the law actually is.

"The law measures this by movement and location, not speed, intent, or perceived fun," he says. He points to Section 61 of the Traffic Act, Cap 403, which bars any person from riding or being carried outside a vehicle, including on the footboard, tailboard,...