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Nairobi county Majority Leader Peter Imwatok has submitted a proposal to ban all street parties and reggae concerts in residential areas of the city.
Citing concerns over rising criminal activities, disturbance to residents, and moral degradation, Imwatok emphasized the need for immediate action to address the issue.
In a notice addressed to the Nairobi Assembly, Imwatok highlighted the negative impact of street parties and reggae concerts on residential communities.
“In the recent past, there has been a growing trend in the city where individuals have organized street parties in the form of reggae concerts in residential areas which attract both the youths and school-going children,” he stated. “The parties are characterized by all kinds of criminal activities, immoralities, and drug abuse, posing a threat to the safety and well-being of residents.”
Imwatok’s concerns were echoed by residents and parents, who expressed alarm over the detrimental effects of such events on the younger generation.
The parties, they argued, not only contribute to an increase in crime but also disrupt the peace and tranquility of residential neighborhoods.
Moreover, they raised concerns about the exposure of children to drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances, as well as the risk of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
The proposal for a ban on street parties and reggae concerts comes on the heels of a recent decision by the police in Makongeni to halt a highly anticipated reggae concert scheduled to take place at the Makongeni Social.
The event, organized by Makadara MP George Aladwa, was canceled following objections from residents who cited similar concerns about the negative impact on the community.
Reacting to the police intervention, one concerned parent expressed relief, stating, “This concert is causing harm to our children, exposing them to drugs, alcohol, and other immoral activities. Our girls are also not safe, as they are being exposed to early pregnancies and other STIs and HIV. I am happy that the police have acted swiftly to stop this concert.”
Imwatok’s proposal is expected to spark debate within the Nairobi County Assembly as stakeholders weigh the balance between cultural expression and public safety.
However, with mounting evidence of the adverse effects of street parties and reggae concerts on residential communities, the call for stricter regulations is likely to gain traction in the pursuit of safeguarding the well-being of Nairobi’s residents, particularly its youth.