Kenyan DJs Protest Spontaneous Arrests By NEMA

Kenyan disk jockeys have come out to protest what they have termed as constant harassment by National Environment Authority officers who have been arresting, in coordination with police officers, DJs accused of playing loud music in residential areas.

we are here at CENTRAL POLICE STATION waiting for the djs who were arrested last nite to be released.... We are innocently just making a living thru the art.... @jsakaja @mike.sonko @PresidentKE #StopArrestingDjs #StopArrestingDjs #StopArrestingDjs pic.twitter.com/rllMxVOVOp

— KRISS DARLIN 🇰🇪 (@KrissDarlin) February 11, 2018

Many people have been showing support to the DJs claiming that these are just young people trying to make an honest living.

The average age of a dj is between 22-34 years old, the YOUTH, and they have chosen djing instead of CRIME and THUGGERY! We would like to find a way forward to ensure our YOUTH don’t end up back on the streets. #StopArrestingDjs

— DJ Bash (@DJBashKenya) February 11, 2018

#StopArrestingDjs the came at privee and took everything, even my laptop

— DJ REX™ (@DJREXKENYA) February 11, 2018

#StopArrestingDjs THREAD pic.twitter.com/czqbwWtax1

— Dj Vin 🇰🇪 (@discjockeyvin) February 11, 2018

Musicians also joined the bandwagon recognizing the big role played by DJs in promoting music and enhancing the visibility of newly released music.

As an artist, who do you turn to for support when you have new content out? As a fan, who do you go to when you're at a party, event or in the club and want to request for your fav joint? The Dj! Therefore, let's all join the #StopArrestingDjs thread and show support for our DJs. pic.twitter.com/uucXocTdAd

— SAUTI SOL (@sautisol) February 11, 2018

#StopArrestingDjs This harassment needs to stop. pic.twitter.com/JCcRvWxNZw

— Wyre (@WyreDaLoveChild) February 11, 2018

#StopArrestingDjs @NemaKenya should give proper guidelines on Noise Pollution.Arresting DJ’s not the solution. I mean why now! & what about club owners! I might be the next victim while performing in one of these places! I condemn this kabisa

— Suzanna Owiyo - OGW (@SuzannaOwiyo) February 11, 2018

dear @SakajaJohnson @MikeSonko with reference to #StopArrestingDjs the fact is that the people conducting these "raids" are not with @NemaKenya These are THUGS who are certianly working with council officials (they use the council van)

— #MuthoniDrummerQueen (@muthoniDQ) February 12, 2018

The online protest caught the eye of Nairobi City county senator Johnson Sakaja who promised to make sure he brings together all the concerned parties to stop the harrassment.

Sorry about this. I've taken up this matter. Deejays are trying to eke out an honest living. If there's a problem with the establishment, arrest the owner not the deejay. I'm bringing together the relevant institutions including @NemaKenya to make sure they all #StopArrestingDjs

— #S3 (@SakajaJohnson) February 11, 2018