Virus thrives as night life returns in key centres

Photo: Courtesy

Two months ago, Mlolongo’s Madharau Street was conspicuously sleepy. During a fact-finding mission, coming after the government had enforced closure of bars and the sale of alcohol, Madharau Street (translated as spite) – a name that was allegedly muted by commercial sex workers for their treatment of men of poor means who sought their services for as little as Sh50 – was as dead as a dodo.

The busiest street on Kenya’s longest highway and its illicit business that has oiled its operation for years was experiencing a dry spell. Stage ya Juu, Stage ya Kumi, Stage ya Kusimama and Stage ya Wote – phrases used to describe Madharau – had no business, not even for the tens of Kamba music bands, most of whose songs are known for their vulgar and lewd lyrics make their living from there.