Muslims win as Kidero bans beer festival in CBD at the last minute

This headline has itself been criticised on the Nairobi News facebook page
“Ruto Zephy this reporter need to be trained on how to report issues its not about who win between Muslims and the other team its about the residents”
and comments both on the Nairobi News and another Kenyan newspaper The Star seem to favour the ban, and consider the event to be ‘disrespectful’ so near any place of worship. It has been suggested that Uhuru park would be a better venue; I seem to remember that Nairobi’s Anglican cathedral is adjacent to the park. 

Police and city askaris were on Friday deployed to stop a beer fest that was set to kick off at 6pm next to the Jamia mosque

Governor Evans Kidero banned the Tusker Street Bash at the last minute following a protest by Muslim leaders over the beer fest that was to be held near their worship place. 

Kidero on his facebook page said, “While we respect the need for business to roll out their marketing activities, we must be conscious and not lose sight or respect for principles and beliefs of different religions”. On his twitter handle, Kidero said through a hashtag ‘keeping our word’ that his government was committed to offering better city life to all regardless of their status.

Jamia Mosque Committee Secretary General Abdul Bary Hamid, in a protest letter, had told Dr Kidero that the noise from the street party will affect Friday prayers. In the letter seen by the Star, the committee said facilitating the promotion of alcohol right at their doorstep of the mosque was not only an anathema but a provocation to members of the Muslim community.

“We have gravelly noted that Tusker promotion event by East African Breweries is being organized right outside our mosque. It is well known that due to adverse health and social effects of alcohol consumption, strict regulations aimed at limiting the consumption of alcohol have been enacted in the country and we cannot understand why the county council is going out of its way to encourage its consumption more so at the doorsteps of a religious institution,” read a letter addressed to governor Kidero.

The letter said the loud noise out of the event would interfere with prayers at the mosque.

Police deployed at the venue of the planned beer fest outside Mojo’s Club ordered for the immediate dismantling of tents and sound system (below) that had been set-up to entertain revellers

Performances by musicians Khaligraph Jones and Wangeci were expected.

I don’t know Swahili but the English language comments mostly support the Governer and criticise the brewery for chosing the wrong street. This is a sample.

“I am in full agreement. We do not need these so called festivals that are actually a lame excuse for debauchery.”

“Medi Medi Not Muslim won……common sense prevailed, humanity and self conscious won the day.”