Churches compete with pubs as Kenyans mark Easter

Some residents of Nairobi who spoke to Wananchi Reporting said they had their Easter planned out; just mad fun.

To many, the Easter Holiday could not have come at a better time – with many having just been paid their salaries – and with a good five days; Friday to Monday, to reduce it to manageable levels.

Steven Kamau, a resident of Nairobi, said his Easter was reduced to a competition between staying drinking with friends, staying sober, drinking some more, and clearing his rent.

Kamau says he never goes to Church during Easter, or any other day, but that he has the right to celebrate Easter holiday like any other citizen.

Filister Mutheu who works at a pub in Pipeline area of Nairobi said their establishment has been receiving many customers since Friday – and is expected to run until Monday night.

“As a business, we are happy because then we are run profitably, and pay our staff,” she said, noting that business has been bad these past few months as Kenyans tended to hold onto their purses due to tough economic times.

Just like Kamau – Mutheu has been too busy at work – serving customers at the pub – to even utter a rushed prayer.

“I am a catholic, but I hardly go to church, mostly because of work related engagements,” she says – adding that this Easter was good to their business.

Unlike Kamau and Mutheu -- Jane Mathoke found time to join the Palm Sunday walk – wielding palm leaves as she walked the same path of pain Jesus walked.

Mathoke spent her Sunday in church – but says that many seats were empty at the church – unlike in the last Easter when the church was full to capacity.

“It is possible that many people have travelled to the villages, but also, I know many people are taking this Easter period to just have fun, drink and enjoy good time with friends and family,” she said.

John – a driver in Nairobi – says he spent his Sunday with friends watching football, eating roast meat and binging.

“I didn’t go to church this Easter Sunday. I was at my local watching football match from 2pm and enjoying a drink with friends,” he says.

Still this Sunday – many churches in Nairobi opened their doors to congregants as is the tradition – with their services starting early morning.

It’s a story that many say religiously replicates itself every Easter – and Christmas – a fight between mad fun and what is supposed to be holy celebrations.