Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Governor Anyang Nyong’o are set to preside over the street Christmas party in Kisumu City.
Raila and Nyong’o are expected to light the Christmas tree and fire wax located at KCB roundabout on the Oginga Odinga Street at 7pm.
Earlier on, Raila hosted a Christmas fun day at his Kisumu home for children from different children’s homes.
Already, the Kisumu government has closed three major streets in the CBD for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the party.
Oginga Odinga Street, Kenyatta Avenue and Ang’awa streets were on Friday closed to motorists from 8am.
City Manager Abala said motorists have been directed to use different routes to access the City.
“As you can see behind me the streets are closed. We are setting up the tents. Various corporate are taking part,” Wanga said.
Twenty-four restaurants and wine sellers listed for the event have been setting up tents on the Uhuru Highway and Oginga Odinga streets.
“We have invited the best hotels and cooks to prepare traditional foods,” Wanga added.
Coca-Cola, Kenya Breweries, Safaricom and Stima Sacco are among the corporate organisations which have already set up tents for the bash.
Wanga said they have also set up clinic and Covid-19 vaccination tents set up at the venue. He said there is also a standby ambulance in case of any emergency.
He said traditional foods such as aliya, athola, smoked fish and local vegetables among others will be available.
Residents, he said, should come and buy food and drinks as they enjoy the street party. “We expect attendants to leave at least 50 to USD dollars. Let us come and build the economy of Kisumu county,” Wanga said.
The Kisumu Christmas street party will be an annual event.
Bars and restaurant operators mounted tents along the Uhuru Highway to allow them to sell beer, wine and food to clients.
Some of the bars and restaurants participating included Ram X B, Kakwacha Foods and Vimba club.
“We want the operators to get out of their premises and come and sell their goods on the streets,” Wanga said.
He said Nyong’o will be opening the streets for a Christmas party. “He will light up the Christmas tree on Friday night at 4pm at KCB roundabout,” Wanga said.
Musicians among them Wuod Fibi, Freddy Jakadongo and other local artists including gospel artiste and best Dj’s are set to perform along Oginga Odinga Street.
Ang’awa and Omollo Agar road will be the access to the party. He said they want a non-motorised party. “Our people must learn to walk for good health,” he said.
Raila, he said, will donate food items to needy children.
Wanga has assured residents and the business community of maximum security, saying they have partnered with police.
“We are going to have more than 50 police officers and county askaris patrolling in the area. We have 24 hour maximum security,” he said.
He added, “We don’t want to hear any form of criminal activities such as raping, mugging and stealing. At all sells point we have security”
Wanga said they have also talked to supermarkets to operate 24 hours for the two days to allow people to shop.
Traders have been allowed to sell on the streets as residents celebrate Christmas. Wanga welcomed all residents to the street bash “the Hollywood style”.
“I hope you will not do other dirty things so come and enjoy yourselves responsibly courtesy of the governor,” Wanga said.
The city manager said there will be a children’s playing area next to Cooperative Bank.
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