Athusi Bar: The only place Kamba Drinkers call home once they settle in Nairobi

Athusi Bar & Restaurant may look like an average estate pub but this drinking point at OTC, Nairobi downtown is special to drinkers from Kamba community.

A simple old-fashioned pub with no fancy entertainment or some young, vibrant boozers but this is where Kao drinkers get some unofficial induction to city’s drinking life when they move to Nairobi.

Kambas treat Athusi as headquarter of a kind where they connect, discuss political and community matters.

Athusi manager Wistone Munyao says it is a good reputation spanning over six decades that has made the pub popular with Kamba people. It is now regarded as an introduction centre for fellow drinkers settling in Nairobi.

“Not that it is a ritual of sort. It is just some unwritten rule that to feel a complete Kao who drinks and lives in Nairobi you must drink, at least once in Athusi” Munyao explains.

He says; “It is just the way if you are a Kikuyu in Nairobi and you drink but have not been to a Mugithi show or a Luo to Ohangla Night you feel some inadequacy”.

Inside Athusi Bar.

 Athusi was established in 1952 and has maintained the old design and interior. This according to Munyao is intended to keep a look that mature customers want and also give feeling of being in a kind of village pub connecting with your roots.

It has rich history of customers and music bands with roots here. Late Kilome MP Tony Ndilinge and Taveta MP Norman Nthenge Lukindo (deceased) were regular customers here.

Kamba music bands like Kimangu Boys Band, Mukuyuni Stars Band and Katitu Boys Band started in Athusi. They later birthed Yatta Boys Band, Kyaume Boys among others.

John Ngila drinks here often. He says because of its proximity to upcountry matatu stages, they drink here while moving to and from upcountry.

“In CBD and downtown this is the pub we feel more at home. Where we can meet and speak in our language without offending others. That is why we introduce our fellow drinkers here when they move to Nairobi” Ngila explains.

The name Athusi means kind of warriors who set out in search of livelihood. This resonates with most customers to this pub who are in Nairobi to earn a living.