Pool of trouble? Kenya’s ‘most misunderstood’ game fights for survival

There is a silent feeling among it lovers that the general public and the police are 'hellbent' on killing a harmless game.

Many claim they have been labelled lazybones, and criminals, just because a neighbour saw them at an estate pool game joint.

“I remember this one time when I was arrested and charged with loitering after police found me at a pool joint,” said Charles Oteko from Pipeline area.

“I cannot count how many times my friends and I have been arrested just for being there,” he says.

According to Charles, the society is to blame.

“Many people see us as people who have lost direction in life. Some just see as criminals who are just waiting for nightfall before they can go out to steal from members of the public,” he says.

Charles told Wananchi Reporting that his parents nearly skinned him alive after a neighbour told them that he had seen him with this group of crooks at this pool joint.

“I had just finished Form 4 and I had a lot of time in my hands. So, I would go to this pool joint just behind the house to play and relax. It wasn’t even inside a bar,” he says.

Businessman Brian Kamau poured hundreds of thousands of shillings into pool business – but has struggled to run the business because of the perception that pool games are a breeding ground for criminals.

“People look at us suspiciously all the time they see us here. Many parents will not even allow their teenage children to just peep and see what’s happening inside,” says Kamau who runs a pool joint in Nairobi eastlands area.

“Young men who come here to play have to constantly watch their backs because police are always hovering around,” says Kamau.

He does not, however, dispute the fact that some of his customers could be people of questionable character and morals.

“Pool games are played professionally, and Kenya can thrive in the game if we can allow estates to run joints without harassment.

“Some of my customers are people who are employed and only come here to unwind. This is a very intellectual game and should be supported,” says Kamau.

Many are worried that the ‘demonization’ happens despite the fact that Kenya has a National Pool Table team.

The team has taken part in All-Africa pool championships in 2014, 2016 and 2017 and in other important tournaments.

Many like Kamau are asking the government to support pool game joints – and not 'fight' them.