Kisumu's own K-Street, where Mututho is an enemy of the people

By Joseph OndiekWelcome to Kisumu's Kanu Street. This is a place where a distinguished university professor and a street urchin will be found sharing a table in the spirit of brotherhood.
It is also here that a pastor who has come to preach the gospel and a man high on glue will sit together and share matters of national interest.
Kisumu’s K-street, as it is known, is just behind the bus station. It boasts of numerous drinking joints that make the Government’s ambitious 24-hour economy a reality before its time.
Here, people drink in total disregard of the so-called Mututho law. Drinkers are emboldened by the fact that in the morning, cops arriving from their nocturnal shift come to partake of the frothy liquid without a reminder that anyone is breaking a law.
It is just a teargas throw away from Kisumu Police Station. But this correspondent has found out that many men in blue operate bars here, making them immune from arrest since the cops would be the last people to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
It is said that soon after the Mututho law was enacted, some overzealous cops came to disturb the peace, but the hail of stones that greeted them cautioned them against ever showing their helmets there again.
HousefliesThere are about a dozen outlets selling all kinds of liquor. At the gate are also several eateries where one can order for matumbo fry and ugali at a pocket-friendly price.
On a typical day, a good number of cars will be parked at the open yard.
Though one might wonder why the owners of these sleek cars prefer this seedy place, where houseflies drop into your mug of Keg beer, the locals boast that it is the only place in Kisumu where you can drink without fear and at an affordable price.
One can have a ‘start’ for as little as Sh10. But since Kisumu is famous for its extravagantly generous revellers, your measly investment will assure you of enough alcohol to make you stagger home.
It’s also a collection of happy-go-lucky people who have escaped from their places of work to quench their thirsts. Towards the evening, it teems with drinkers of many persuasions.
Like Amsterdam’s red light district, women in skimpy dresses strut their stuff for the benefit of lusty revellers.
For as little as Sh50, you are assured of a steamy evening so long as you pay for a room next door.
Ruling partyIt is a Sunday morning and a smartly dressed man comes to K-Street, where even angels fear to tread. He introduces himself as a pastor from Golden Hope of Christ Apostolic Church Ministry. He had a vision to come and save the sinners from Satan’s jaws, he says.
When he asks, amid blaring music, where Christ would find us if he were to come today, one of the drunkards tells him, "Right here in Kanu Street, where he would find us with nails to crucify Him and send Him back to heaven."
Unperturbed by the rebuff, the preacher goes round tables collecting and pocketing offerings.
In one of the bars is a portrait of the President and the ‘Executive Prime Minister’. Next to the portraits is the legend, "This is a Mututho free zone." Politics is the main feature of the conversation menu.
In this area, I was told, once stood the offices of the then ruling party Kanu. But when the fortunes of the party changed, the place was sold to entrepreneurs who put up bars.