Thousands of revelers thronged beaches across the coast region as Kenyans celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Others attended Christmas Eve vigils in churches, social grounds and clubs and partied the whole night.
Most beach and open air parties were held at Mama Ngina Gardens, Jomo Kenyatta Public beach and on the shores of most beach hotels on the Mombasa to Malindi highway. Artistes from Nairobi and Tanzania entertained holidaymakers in most of these spots.
In Lamu, the celebratory spirit was dampened by twin attacks on police in Witu and Bodhai in which a policeman was killed in an explosion.
About half of Lamu county’s mainland is Christian and many Christians went to church but others kept away from large gatherings following the attacks blamed on Al Shabaab militants acting out of Boni forest.
Many Christians told The Standard on Sunday that they avoided traveling to Mombasa or out of Lamu County fearing militant attacks on buses and civilian vehicles.
This year’s Christmas Day coincided with the month-long Muslim celebration of Maulid an Nabi celebrations which commemorate, the birth of prophet Mohamed and Muslim faithful and poured to the streets in Mombasa since December 24 for a month long celebration.
Security officials in Mombasa say no insecurity incident was reported as faithful of the two religions poured to different social joints to celebrate.
Several holiday makers packed entertainment joints, worshipers in churches while others trooped beaches on 24th at night as the count down to the Christmas.
Tourist hotel players reported over an average of 90 per cent occupancy as revelers both from the local and international markets arrived in Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi for the December holidays.
President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Mombasa on Christmas Eve for a private ceremony with close family members and later attended Christmas mass on Friday with his wife Margaret, children and his mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta at the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral in Mombasa town.
The President called on Kenyans to coexist peacefully.
“We should live in peace with one another and emulate our Muslim brothers who with their Christian counterparts escaped an attack when those criminals hijacked the bus they were traveling in from Mandera,” said Uhuru.
At Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach thousands of holiday makers jammed the area amid tight security by both national police and County Government inspectorate.
German tourist Nicole Hampel said she came into the country with her sister Monique Hampel to spend the Christmas period after they were convinced through social media that the country was safe.
“This is our first time to come to Kenya. We have enjoyed our stay with good food, good people and culture. We will be back again,” said Ms Hampel.
Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa said security officers were dispatched to all Christian gatherings that were holding night vigils.
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