Don’t ban street reggae parties – Foreign PS Sing’oei cautions Nairobi MCAs
Dr Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has come out to defend street parties in Nairobi estates even as County MCAs pass a motion to stop it.
In his defence, the PS said that on the contrary, street parties in the form of reggae music sessions in residential areas bring the vibes of the city.
“Cultural events of this nature add value to the soul of the city. They should be regulated. Not banned,” PS ing’Oei said.
Last week, the county passed the motion which was tabled by Makongeni Member of the County Assembly Peter Imwatok Jateso, who doubles as the Majority Leader in the Assembly.
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Mr Imwatok said that the increasing number of street parties and reggae playing loud music in residential areas had become a matter of concern.
Imwatok stated that the level of crime has surged in some parts of the county, including his ward.
According to the member, the street parties, and reggae sessions in the estate lure school-going children – who are underage, hence leading to immoral activities as well as insecurity.
“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,” Imwatok said in a notice of motion.
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The Majority Leader stated that the trend is worrying and that the reggae session is being used by the youth to abuse drugs.
“I’m concerned that these street parties and reggae sessions are characterised by all manner of criminal acts and immoral activities such as drug abuse, mussing of residents, and loud music within residential areas and general lawlessness.”
He also said that the reggae sessions have largely contributed to poor performance among the school-going children and that if the matter is not addressed, the next generation will be affected.
“This Assembly resolves that the County Executive bans all street parties and reggae sessions in residential areas and develops and submits to this assembly regulations to cover such parties.”