About seven kilometres from Nakuru town on the way to Nairobi is a vast, open piece of land between Free Area and Mwariki estates.
The more than 100 acres of land on the foot of Lion hill, extending from Lake Nakuru National Park, is an archaeological site known as the Lanet prehistoric site.
It consists of a large group of hollows and exceptionally high mounds believed to have been the habitation of Sirikwa people.
The site, an extension of Hyrax Hill Museum, was discovered by Dr Merrick Posnansky in 1957, who uncovered extensive evidence of Middle Iron Age occupation by Sirikwa people.
Due to its strategic location overlooking the lake as well as its undulating topography, residents who have enjoyed unfettered access to the field have been using it for different purposes, including grazing and as a playing ground.
New use
However, since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, the field has found new use.
After the government placed a ban on pubs and bars in a bid to minimise social contact and contain the spread of the virus, some Kenyans found other ways to beat the guidelines, far from the eyes of authorities.
They have converted the field into a location for all the activities they engaged in at nightclubs before the age of the coronavirus.
For four months now, people have been trooping to the field in cars for merrymaking.
On weekends, one might think a VIP event is underway at the site as hundreds of vehicles are usually parked there.
Car doors are mostly open with occupants sitting on the edges of the seats, facing the outside. Men and women usually have tumblers and liquor bottles and dance to music from systems in the cars.
Families shocked
With this as the new normal in the area, displaced residents watch from a distance.
Mr Humphrey Kariuki, a resident of Murogi Estate who grazes his cattle on the field. However, seemed bothered and concerned.
In an interview with the Nation, the 65-year-old said residents are unhappy with how the field is now being used.
“Men come here with young women. Once they get drunk, they start dancing erotically and kissing while playing loud music. Others even engage in sexual intercourse inside the vehicles without caring that we have children who are watching them,” lamented Mr Kariuki.
At one time, a couple police caught having sex in a vehicle in broad daylight had to bribe their way out.
“Such behaviour is not good, especially since children see them. The government should do something to contain the situation,” he said.
Anti-virus rules
Another resident, Mr Eliud Macharia, expressed concerns that the Ministry of Health guidelines on Covid-19 prevention are not being adhered to.
“We have lived here for a long time and have enjoyed using this field. However, due to what is happening, the government may decide to restrict access to it. We should not allow the situation to get to that point,” said Mr Macharia.
Mr James Mokua said he visited the field to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sunset in the western horizons.
“The ground is becoming unfavourable for family outings. You now see hawkers everywhere, bottles of liquor, some which are broken, plastic papers and even packets of used condoms. This is not good. It will be better to implement some controls,” he said.
Response
Museum Curator Lilian Anwanda said they have received numerous complaints on inappropriate use of the field. Residents have complained of increased prostitution, drinking and pollution of the environment.
Ms Amwanda, however, said the management allowed the public to freely use the field without interfering with the land or the environment.
She regretted that they have been forced to seal it off to restore order..
It turned out that both the residents and the interloping outsiders do not know what the site is for.
“It is unfortunate that most people do not know the history behind the site even though we have been allowing them free access. With the complaints we received we had to take action to prohibit movement to the field,” said Ms Amwanda.
She said people found engaging in illicit behaviours and flouting Covid-19 guidelines have been arrested.
On a larger scale, the problem remains as people in other parts of the county are doing the same at other locations.
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