Former Shinyalu MP Kizito Mugali has urged the government to allow night runners to use Kakamega Forest freely at night, describing the practice as a cherished part of Luhya cultural heritage.
Speaking during a public meeting in Shinyalu, Mugali emphasized that night running, though often misunderstood, has been practiced for generations as part of the community’s traditions.
He appealed to authorities to protect and regulate the activity instead of treating participants as criminals.
“The government should create a special cultural policy that allows night runners to carry out their activities safely. They can be given permission to use parts of Kakamega Forest at night without fear of arrest or harassment,” Mugali said.
According to Mugali, some participants have faced hostility from local residents and security personnel, including arrests and mob attacks, due to misconceptions about the practice.
He suggested that the Kenya Forest Service, together with local elders, could designate specific routes in the forest for cultural activities, ensuring both safety and preservation of tradition.
Reactions from locals were mixed. Some supported Mugali’s proposal, seeing it as a way to safeguard cultural heritage, while others opposed it, claiming the activity can spread fear or be misused for criminal acts.
A resident from Isecheno village commented, “We respect our traditions, but times have changed. Some people use night running as a cover to steal or harm others.”
Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s only tropical rainforest, is considered sacred by surrounding communities and is believed to provide spiritual energy for cultural practices, including night running — a form of ancestral connection.
Mugali concluded by calling on the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to engage local leaders in protecting harmless cultural traditions before they disappear.
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