NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 18 — Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has voiced concern over a proposed law to ban street concerts in Nairobi terming it unnecessary.
Sing’oei, commenting on the plan by ward representatives in Nairobi on Monday, said “Cultural events of this nature add value to the soul of the city”.
He urged lawmakers to consider a regulatory framework instead of imposing a total ban on street concerts.
Makongeni Member of County Assembly and Majority Leader Peter Imwatok made the legislative proposal in a motion tabled at the County Assembly.
In his motion dated March 13, Imwatok raised concern over a surge in street parties featuring reggae music in residential areas.
Imwatok termed the parties a crime scene where immoral activities take place with the youth and school-going children being at the centre of it.
He blamed the parties for underperformance in schools and moral decay among the youth.
“These street parties and reggae sessions are characterized by all manner of criminal acts and immoral activities such as drug abuse, mugging of residents, loud music within residential areas, and general lawlessness,” the motion read in part.
Imwatok called for the prohibition of street parties near residential areas.
