This archive report was first published on 21 December 2021.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, residents of Kisumu will experience a unique Christmas celebration as two major streets in the city will be closed to allow for a street bash organized by the county government.
According to City Manager Abala Wanga, Oginga Odinga Street and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue will be closed to make way for the festivities, which will start at 8 pm on December 24.
The event, one of its kind in the city, is part of the county's efforts to transform Kisumu and improve its infrastructure. The county government has collaborated with the private sector to make the celebrations a success, with live bands and food supplied by 24 hotels.
Four musical bands have been contracted to entertain residents during the celebrations, and while the exact cost of the event is unclear, sources suggest it could be close to Sh2 million.
This development comes after the county government tested car-free days in the city, closing several streets to encourage residents to keep the city clean and use alternative modes of transport.
