The Nairobi County Assembly is proposing a ban on all street parties held in residential areas, with the aim of decreasing crime rates in neighbourhoods. Majority Leader Peter Imwatok tabled a notice of motion, suggesting that the loud music often associated with these gatherings disrupts the peace of many residents.
“There has been a growing trend in the city where individuals have organised street parties in the form of reggae music sessions in residential areas which attract both the youth and school going children, I am concerned that, these street parties and reggae sessions are characterised by all manner of immoral activities,” the notice of motion reads.
The Makongeni ward representative, further contended that allowing school children to attend these parties has contributed to a decline in moral standards and academic performance in educational institutions.
“As a result of reggae parties, non performance in schools and moral decay has been evident among the youths and many end up dropping out in schools and being drug addicts,” he added.
He also alleged that the parties attract criminal activities such as mugging of residents and drug abuse. Consequently, Imwatok wants the executive to ban all street parties in residential estates.
“This assembly resolves that the county executive bans all street parties and reggae sessions in residential areas and develops and submits to this assembly regulation to govern such parties,” the notice of motion read further.
Similar to this, is UDA-nominated Senator Karen Nyamu who tabled a motion last year to ban ‘Aluta’ Sunday- a popular trend involving selling alcohol and other substances, partying and clubbing beyond the recommended time.
In her presentation, Nyamu identified five concerns for the committee to include in their statement. The senator requested the committee to delineate any government initiatives aimed at tackling the escalation of unregulated social gatherings and nightclub activities that extend beyond the prescribed hours.
She sought comprehensive statistics of licenced bars and pubs with a detailed explanation demonstrating if these outlets pose risks to neighbouring environs. More to this she asked the committee to state measures by the government to ensure strict adherence to legally stated hours of operation by alcohol-selling joints.
