Kisumu residents in street bash again, for New Year party

Kisumu central business district was a buzz of activities during the New Year’s eve.

Hundreds of residents turned up for the street gospel festival organized by Kisumu County Government together with the area clergy.

Jomo Kenyatta Highway and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga street were no go zones for motorists as the areas were set aside for the night long event which begun on the evening of December 31, 2021.

Attendees were treated to gospel entertainment which included prayer and worship songs from 4pm.

The event was a replica of the street party held at the same venue during the Christmas Eve, however, this time it was heavenly.

Fireworks rented the skies as soon as the countdown to the New Year hit the peak, with ululations of high expectations engulfing the beats of the music.

The rains that had initially threatened to interrupt the celebrations could not stop the residents from shouting to the top of their lungs at the count down for the New Year as they got performances from the local gospel artists and entertainers.

“I did not want this moment to get me while asleep. I had to come here and witness this great moment,” said one of the attendees who only identified himself as James from Manyatta Estate.

As opposed to the Christmas party, this time there was no much of politics during the event as the clergy took over the program and gave priority to prayers.

Some of the attendees however didn’t miss the opportunity to party with alcohol bottles in their hands as they yelled at crossing the new year.

Filled with the joy of crossing over, the residents had various opinions on the efforts that has been made by the county government to restore the area’s economy that has been limping since the advent of Coronavirus pandemic.

“During the Christmas celebrations, our leaders promised to look into the economy in the new year. Ours is to hope that everything will be fine since we are getting into election year,” said Jane Auma, a hawker at the CBD who also attended the New Year bash.

The residents now hope for more of such activities in the coming days as they termed it the best way to bring the residents of Kisumu together and also boosting local businesses.