Kenya’s small Jamaica in Vihiga county flourish as government declares the reggae outfit illegal
Vihiga county is renowned for many Kenya’s first. Besides being the home of the Rugby conquering brothers, it is also known as the home of the holy herb.
Bunyore land is rich and blessed with fertile soil. Apart from millet, groundnuts and maize, cannabis is also grown there under very secretive circumstances.
# Reggae defenders born in Vihiga.
A group calling itself reggae defenders formed in the year 2022 has of late changed the calm landscape in Vihiga.
Members of the reggae defenders group in Vihiga known for their comradeship, love for reggae and love for ganja is a sight to behold especially when one of their member
dies.
According to the group’s founder Mr Okusi, th3 group came together for their love of reggae and the need to preserve reggae doctrine of peace love and unity.
However the local community and the security apparatus is yet to come to terms with the new religion so to speak.
” Reggae defenders group is terrorizing locals especially when one of their member dies. The group is a government on its own, they pay no attention to traffic rules and even the authority. They love for reggae music and the herb is just out of this world. This group has taken up Bunyore land and we are afraid they may over run the established institutions’ complained a local.
# Trouble with the law
“What are they defending? This group has criminals disguised as responsible members of the society. They smoke bhang steal, maim and rape women at night!” Watakila said during a public baraza at Ebusikhale Mumboha Church of God grounds, that brought together members of the public, mainly bodaboda riders from Luanda.
“I want their certificate withdrawn with immediate effect and the security apparatus will continue to monitor their (Reggae Defenders) move,” he said.
Members of the public at the baraza accused the group of cult-like behaviours especially when one of their members dies.
“They have their own ‘government.’ They threaten anyone who questions their action and are able to bail out any of their members accused of any criminal activity within a very short time through contributions,” a bodaboda member told the baraza.
Watakila took issue with the Luanda Social Services officer on why he had registered a group that uses ‘reggae’ to cover up their criminal intentions. He dismissed Cyprian Ongudu’s explanation that the officials of the group told him they had ‘passion about reggae’ which pushed them to come together in a formal way.
Chairman of the said Reggae defenders group Solomon Okusi said the group was formed on February 2, 2022 with the aim of helping members at times of need.
“Our activities are lawful for we contribute for our members in times of sickness or bereavement. I will however, surrender the registration certificate as directed by the security team,” Okusi stated.
Okusi claimed that the group’s bank accounts had been frozen and they could no longer access the account.
The group leader Mr Okusi however refutes the claims.
“As reggae defenders we are peaceful and law abiding. Our coming together in unity and love for reggae music has been misinterpreted to mean violence and lawlessness. We mourn our departed members and enjoy reggae music as a sign of last respect. The message in the reggae music give us inspiration and hope even as we mourn our departed colleagues” said Okusi.
A few days ago, there was a public Baraza in Vihiga where the county commissioner banned the activities of the reggae defenders and ordered the surrender of their registration certificate.
Whether the group remains banned or outlawed, the spirit of reggae defenders in Vihiga still lives on.
According to the group leader Mr Okusi, he believes you cannot ban reggae and its ideals, togetherness under reggae continues.
Vihiga’s place in the reggae world and as a small Jamaica remains unchallenged.
