Please recognise us! Homa Bay night runners urge Kenyan government
A self-proclaimed leader of the Night Runners Association of Kenya, Mr Jack Songo from Homa Bay, has accused the government of neglecting their community and failing to address their challenges.
Night runners, known for their peculiar nocturnal activities that sometimes terrorise rural communities, engage in mysterious practices that science has yet to unveil fully.
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Mr Songo, claiming to be their president, insists that night running is a cultural practice that deserves recognition and registration by the government.
Expressing his grievances, Mr Songo highlighted the difficulties faced by night runners, urging the government to register their association under the Department of Sports and Culture.
“I am soon beginning the process of registration and want people to embrace us,” he stated.
To build trust among the public, Mr Songo plans to obtain a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
Additionally, he appealed to county governments to provide employment opportunities for night runners, suggesting that they could be valuable assets, especially in firefighting.
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Pointing out the practicality of their involvement in firefighting, Mr Songo emphasised that most fire incidents are reported at night when the majority of people are asleep, while night runners are active.
“We are mostly active at night and are more likely to respond to fire outbreaks than anyone. When out, we can equally raise an alarm if we spot fire at night,” he explained.
Despite his efforts to secure employment for his group members from the Homa Bay County government, Mr Songo claimed to have faced challenges.
Adding an unexpected twist to the narrative, Mr Songo addressed the welfare of animals associated with night runners, particularly wild animals like hyenas.
“Government has been running programmes where it vaccinates animals from diseases like rabies. Our animals should also be considered in such programmes,” he said.