Beer halls are empty and cold. Waiters, bouncers, disc jockeys and musicians, some from as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo have been laid off.

Anger is running high and financial loses felt just because music, the lifeline of Nyanza's robust entertainment industry has been turned off.

The music turf and home to some of Kenya's celebrated artistes like Owino Misiani, Princess Jully, the late Okatch Biggy and George Ramogi, is a pale shadow of itself, thanks to a government directive to switch off the music.

Provinicial Commissioner Peter Raburu's surprise move sparked questions and debate. Is benga, Ndombolo, Orutu, Ohangla, disco music and video shows responsible for the upsurge of HIV/Aids infections in Nyanza?

Is the entertainment industry the cause of poor results in national examinations?

When he dropped the bombshell during his Madaraka day address Raburu said there is "too much promiscuity in Kisumu. There are too many Aids cases in Kisumu and these live bands, discos and video shows must end.

Top government officials present nodded heads in approval but the crowd was stunned. Bar owners at the stadium cursed.

Church leaders said "Amen" and hours later the ban struck beer halls like lightning. Musicians started dismantling their equipment, contracts were cancelled and some people stopped drinking.

But just why did the PC assault the popular industry employing hundreds and socialising thousands of souls?

His supporters agree that the entertainment industry had expanded too fast and was responsible for some ills in society.

His critics, however, said the ban was a personal vendetta against the musicians and had nothing to do with Aids and poor education standards.

They accused the administrator of extending his Christian beliefs to hurt private business.

"As a born-again person, he loathes bar music and he wants to convert every body," said a Kisumu lawyer who walked into his popular joint, only to learn that his favourite band could not perform.

Three Members of Parliament from Nyanza, were quoted as having threatened to take the PC to court over the ban. They described the move as "economic sabotage" and professional abuse on musicians.

A group of 50 business people from Siaya said the ban was "rude" while a former Kisumu councillor Bruno Oloo argued that the PC could have summoned bar owners and told them his demands instead of "surprising" them. He said the ban had serious social and economic implications.

However, some people feel that if properly implemented the ban could help minimise the spread of Aids.

Local politicians, Dave Okwatch and Kitoto Oruko supported the ban on video shows, saying many of the video show rooms had been turned into dens for thieves, but said the ban on music and disco was unjustified.

Said Okwatch: "We know of musicians who have been in the forefront in the fight against Aids and always educate their patrons during drinking sprees. A musician like Princess Jully and the late Ochieng' Kabaselle are best known because of their anti-Aids campaigns."

He sympathises with musicians. "They are living pathetic lives. The government has refused to help them earn a decent living. When their music is being pirated, nobody acts, when they move to bars to earn a living, they are treated like thieves."

Oruko said bars are the best forums for the anti-Aids campaign teams, adding that banning the bands was like banning drinking. He said that contrary to what the PC has been saying, most bars in the town were frequented by adults.

"When the PC says he is banning music because it was responsible for the spread of Aids and child prostitution, he is mistaken because those going to these bars are mature people capable of choosing what was best for them."

He said the police and the provincial administrators knew prostitution dens in the town.

Bar owners who sought anonymity said police have been harassing them since the ban was imposed. They said music and beer were inseparable.

They argued that banning music would have a negative impact on socio-economic standards and even education as parents depended on the entertainment industry for their livelihood.

"The government must look for a better way to fight Aids and poor performance in schools because music is not responsible. Music and beer is for adults. The best thing the PC could have done was to close down bars allowing underage children into their premises," said a barman in the town.

Those supporting the PC said music, beer and promiscuity were three-in-one. "The PC is right. He is only trying to save our people and he should be supported," said a church leader.

The ban on live music and discos has been as controversial as it has been common in the province.

Former Nyanza PC Joseph Kaguthi made enemies when he banned live bands and disco in the province over the same Aids epidemic.

Comments\Views about this article