Reggae na Lami funeral processions banned in Kakamega

Kakamega Central Deputy County Commissioner bans controversial Reggae na Lami concert during the ferrying of dead bodies from the mortuary to their homes.

Speaking in Kakamega town, Kakamega Central DCC Onesmus Kyatha said that such incidents have caused conflict and traffic congestion in the town, and he asked those who ferry the dead, including hearse drivers, to stop immediately because the law will not spare them.

However, Kyatha added that the act is a form of violence, is unconstitutional and cannot be tolerated at all. He said it has also affected traders and led to the loss of property during the activity.

“We have banned Reggae na Lami activities in Kakamega; anyone found will be arrested and taken to court to face the law,” Kyatha warned.

Kyatha added that he has received complaints from traders and other road users concerning the activities whereby the youths block roads and start collecting money from the road users forcefully.

The DCC revealed an incident in which mourners ferrying a dead body blocked the Kakamega–Kisumu highway using a coffin containing the body.

“Ata wengine juzi wafunga barabara kwa kutumia sanduku la maiti. The incident was a disgrace which made other road users unable to reach their destination in time,” DCC said.

Further, the authorities lamented that, despite blocking roads and causing mayhem in town, the youths also collect money from traders and drivers of public transport.

He said the youths threaten them until someone hands over money, which is then used to buy chang’aa and other hard drugs.

The DCC asked the organisers to act humanely and stop the acts, adding that they disturb the public and constitute a form of noise pollution.

“The rowdy youths carrying the dead body block roads and start asking money from travellers by force; some even steal their belongings in the form of mourning the dead,” he said.

The Kakamega DCC asked members of the public to be at the forefront in reporting such incidents so that the authorities take decisive action.

He said the community should impress someone while that person is alive but not after death. DCC Onesmus Kyatha added that when someone is dead, that person cannot appreciate anything done for them.

He said even if you play reggae for ten years, he or she will not resurrect and have fun with you, so distracting other people’s properties in mourning the dead is unacceptable, and if found, you will be jailed.

“Maiti hawezi sikia hizo kelele hata muimbe miaka kumi. If you want to impress someone, impress him while still alive but not when he or she is dead,” DCC emphasised.

The statement was echoed by Shieywe Chief Philip Chunge, who asked residents to collaborate with law enforcement when such incidents occur.

Change said in order to reduce insecurities, both residents and the authorities have to collaborate for effectiveness. He said even night ceremonies such as disco-matanga have been banned, and anyone found playing music during funerals at night will be arrested.

“For the effectiveness of the ban, residents should collaborate with authorities to counter the activities because they bring insecurities in the area,” Chunge said.