Residents in Lamu have likened a town in the area to the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah owing to the high number of bars and entertainment joints.
Hindi town in Lamu west has over 40 bars and at least 25 wines and spirit joints in an area with a population of just about 4,000 people.
Efforts by community leaders to protest against the situation and call for the regulation of such businesses haven’t borne much fruit.
Hindi chief Jamal Keah said the fact that most of these bars are located next to schools and homes has made alcohol easily available to children and other young people.
“There have been increasing reports of students engaging in alcohol and immorality because of this situation. It is very worrying,” Keah said.
He said Hindi has 18 churches and mosques.
Bar owners have been accused of playing loud music despite being located close to schools thereby attracting students who come to indulge in alcohol and other ills at these joints.
“Our children here have no role models. That is why we see the increased cases of pregnancies and school dropouts,” Keah said.
Community leaders have called on the government to regulate the licensing of such businesses in the area to save the youth and children.
“We are calling on the county government to stop any further issuance of licences for bars and similar joints in Hindi. What we have is causing enough havoc,” Peter Mwaura, a resident, said.
Residents say drugs and crime are the major impediments to the region’s socio-economic development.
“Communities here have been impoverished because of alcohol and other drugs. It is unheard of for any place to have a higher number of bars than worship places,” Mohamed Ismael said.
-Edited by SKanyara
