Nairobians and the out of town party phenomenon
Following the events of the past weekend, it’s near impossible to imagine an out of town event where Nairobi residents aren’t flagged as adrenaline junkies with an endless craving for sex, alcohol and drugs. John Mututho, chairman of Nacada went as far as to call the events at the Masaku 7 aside tourney something akin to Sodom and Gomorrah at a press conference after a clip surfaced that the news stations are not keen to stop airing. He has also gone as far as to call for a complete ban of the event and to ask for an apology from East Africa Breweries Limited. Which has been described as an unnecessary knee-jerk reaction by rugby player Larry Asego and attendees such as those pictured who did not participate in the ‘madness’.
So what is it about going outside Nairobi makes mild mannered young men and women indulge in binge drinking, irresponsible sexual activities, reckless driving, vandalism and general hooliganism? According to one commenter on The Star’s article, the reason the youth are so wild at such events is that they get a false sense of anonymity once they leave the city bounds. Fall all over the road drunk in Westlands and chances are, at least thirty or more people who know you will see you. In a crowd of nearly forty thousand people, you can lose yourself in the moment and wake up in a ditch the next day with no recollection of what happened with the comfort of knowing that no one you know witnessed it. This, however, has been proven wrong by the myriad of photos that have made it to social media. I agree with the commenter but I can’t help but wonder what happened to dignity or respect for human life.
Last year a friend asked me to go with him to the KCB rally and I vehemently refused citing the great love I had for my own life.
“Why not? You know I’m a great driver and I’ll be sober the whole time”
“It’s not you I’m worried about bruv, it’s the other fools who’ll be on the road at the same time.”
Every year, the KCB rally in Kajiado is in the news with new rankings, new information on the drivers and new numbers of spectator injuries and deaths due to reckless driving. Intoxication is not always a factor but speed usually is. A story by Citizen news in 2012 showed a clip by a spectator on his way back driving at double the speed limit, it even further goes to highlight the dangers of actually getting to and chances of leaving the rally alive. One young man was actually run over by a Subaru Impreza as he watched the cars fly past.
Solutions such as that of the NACADA chairman will do nothing to curb this menace really. They also would punish the thousands of civilians who attend such events and remain within the law. The law is not only there to punish offenders but also to make sure the rights of the innocent are not infringed upon. A stronger relationship between the government and the event hosts would most definitely help. Where were all the new officers Alfred Mutua had hired over the past year during the 5 hour snarl up that plagued the road into Machakos. Is this a sign of our society’s moral decay or of our ascent into a more liberal society. Compare these two quotes one from Thomas Mutisya, an associate DJ at Epic nation and the other from a university student’s Facebook page, respectively:
I felt it as a complete waste of my time. Being stuck in traffic for 8 long hours wasn’t the experience I was hoping for. I was a little disappointed at the behavior of Nairobians, taking a good thing like Masaku 7ns, an out of town rugby extravaganza & turning it into what I can only describe as ratchetness on a platinum level. The skimpy dressing, I don’t mind, It wasn’t me! But people needed to tone down the excitement that led to too much alcoholism & hooliganism. Why cant we just party in peace?
I am already psyched for the next Masaku 7′s I can’t wait to re-do the weekend we just had…. to all the people I met in machakos town and at the Masaku 7′s thank you for everything. I had so much fun dancing on the streets, painting my face, blowing whistles, eating nyama choma, riding on horses, meeting more people from Nairobi, going to church on Sunday, drinking games, stupid dares we give people to do, going to the park, , the unlimited alcohol… e.t.c The weekend was too much fun. Time to go on detox.
Two completely different points of view. What’s your opinion?
