PC’s decree that sends town to sleep at 8pm

By Francis Ngige

Former Central PC Peter Raburu is long retired, but a decree he issued in Nyeri town seven years ago still haunts traders.

At a public meeting in Nyeri soon after President Kibaki was sworn-in for his first term in 2002, Mr Raburu banned entertainment spots’ operations past 8pm.

The edict was meant to enhance security in the headquarters of what he called the "First District", being the President’s home district.

Since then, when the clocks strikes 8pm, the curtain falls on Nyeri as night businesses close and the town goes to sleep.

It is the only town in Central Province that has no licensed nightclub or an eatery that operates 24 hours.

The ‘curfew’ that Raburu slapped on the town was never lifted when he left and residents remember his stint with longing.

Although Nyeri is the headquarters of the agricultural-rich Central Province, it is the least vibrant socially.

As a result of the Raburu order, many businesses have died and investors shied away.

His leadership style was at times near comical, but many residents remember him with a lot of fondness.

Preached virtues

During the Raburu tenure, operations in Government offices and local courts were delayed as he preached virtue to civil servants.

Today, visitors entering Nyeri are greeted by a billboard with the Ten Commandments that the former PC ordered erected.

It features the national colours — black, red and green. It declares: ‘Central Province For God.

The sixth commandment, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ is written in red because it was key to Raburu’s campaign against HIV and Aids.

On death bed

Many residents say many businesses are on their deathbed, not just because of Raburu’s decree, but also of its location off the main road from Nairobi to Mt Kenya and northern Kenya.

Mr Alex Ndegwa, the manager of Impala Club on Kanisa Road, said: "Life has been very difficult to most businesspeople in Nyeri. This town is off the main business vein and with Raburu’s decree, things got worse."

Ndegwa said efforts by traders to convince the Provincial Administration to lift the ban have not succeeded. Not even the argument that entertainment was key to the town’s economy.

A resident, Mr Joseph Ngunjiri, said motorists are also affected because they cannot fuel since most pump stations do not operate for 24 hours.

"The economy of this town will not grow as a result of the retrogressive rules. Even investors have kept off," said Ngunjiri.

Traders are angry that they are punished, ironically, for living in the President’s home district and are quick to point out that other towns are alive all night.

A few kilometres away, smaller towns, Karatina and Nanyuki, are vibrant 24 hours.

During a recent interview, Gender Minister Esther Murugi, who is the Nyeri Town MP, said it was unfortunate that no effort was being made to boost business.

"I was surprised that even on New Year, police were enforcing the rule and people were not allowed to celebrate as they wished," said Ms Murugi.

Nyeri DC Michael Mwangi said the decision would not be reversed.

"We have rules that regulate businesses and we have to go by whatever decision they make. There are no two ways to it," he said.

In infrastructure, the town city centre has good roads, but in the estates they are pathetic.

During the rainy season, it is a nightmare to drive through the estates. No single road leading to the estates is tarmacked.

Nyeri’s town centre is small, with only two buildings rising above five storeys. But it is dusty and shabby because it has no sidewalks.

Apart from two or three modern buildings coming up, there has not been any significant infrastructural development in the last decade.

Finding office space in the town is a problem and that could explain why none of the top supermarkets has a store in Nyeri.

The exception to this norm, however, is water infrastructure: It is well laid out and the network serves the town nearly flawlessly.

tourist facilities

The Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company Limited distributes clean drinking water to all estates.

The town is endowed with top class tourist facilities, including the magnificent Outspan Hotel and Treetops.

Nyeri is the burial place of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a fighter in the Boer War and founder of the Scout movement, whose name rings many bells.

Robert and his wife are buried in the local cemetery, along with legendary hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett, the author of ‘Man Eaters of Kumaon’ (1944), who spent his final years in Kenya.

 

 

Read all about: President Kibaki Gender Minister Esther Murugi

 

 

|   |    |   Add Comment |    Comments (0)

---