Last weekend's Summertides Festival transformed Malindi in Kilifi county into one of Kenya's busiest entertainment destinations.
While thousands of revellers embraced the event, others—particularly religious leaders and conservative voices—expressed concern over what they viewed as indecent behaviour, excessive alcohol consumption and public displays that offended community values.
Images and videos circulating online showed predominantly young adults, many between the ages of 18 and 35, dancing in revealing attire and partying late into the night.
For many parents, imagining their own sons or daughters in such an environment is understandably unsettling. Their concerns about youth safety, morality and public decency should not be dismissed.
Yet there is another side to the debate.
Tourism remains one of Kenya's largest economic pillars, generating employment, foreign exchange and business opportunities across the country.
If Summertides is viewed as a tourism product capable of attracting thousands of visitors to destinations such as Malindi, Watamu and Kilifi, then it represents an opportunity worth considering rather than rejecting outright.
Across much of Europe and North America, summer festivals have become major drivers of domestic and international tourism.
They attract visitors, create jobs and inject millions into local economies. These events are not without controversy, but governments have generally responded through regulation rather than prohibition.
Strict licensing, security measures, emergency medical services, crowd management, environmental controls and enforcement of public order laws have enabled such festivals to thrive while minimising risks.
Kenya may not have a traditional summer season, but this period coincides with long university holidays, making it an ideal time for young people to travel, socialise and explore different parts of the country.
Rather than debating whether events such as Summertides should exist, the more important question is how they should be organised.
Kenya is a constitutional democracy governed by the constitution, not by religious doctrine. Religious institutions play an important role in shaping society's moral values and have every right to express their views.
Equally, however, public policy cannot be based solely on the teachings of one faith or denomination. The constitution guarantees freedom of expression, association, movement and personal liberty, provided these rights are exercised within the law and without infringing on the rights of others.
That is why Summertides should primarily be viewed as a governance issue rather than a moral panic.
County governments, tourism authorities, event organisers and security agencies should work together to establish clear standards for such festivals.
These should include licensing requirements, age restrictions, adequate security, public decency rules, emergency health services, crowd control measures, environmental protection and strict enforcement against criminal behaviour.
Proper regulation would protect attendees, reassure local communities and maximise economic benefits.
The economic impact of the festival should not be overlooked. Thousands of visitors travelling to Malindi over a single weekend translated into significant spending throughout the local economy.
Hotels and guesthouses recorded high occupancy levels, while restaurants, bars and food vendors experienced increased business. Airlines, the Standard Gauge Railway, matatus, taxis and boda boda operators all benefited from higher demand.
Beach operators, tour guides, photographers, entertainers and small traders earned additional income, while attractions such as the Vasco da Gama pillar saw increased visitor numbers.
Temporary employment was created for security personnel, cleaners, event staff and service providers, while both national and county governments collected additional tax revenue.
For coastal counties that often struggle with seasonal tourism, such events provide a valuable boost to local businesses and household incomes.
No festival will ever satisfy everyone. There will always be those who attend, those who stay away and those who oppose such events altogether.
In a democratic society, however, differing lifestyles should not automatically lead to calls for prohibition. The more sustainable approach is responsible regulation, effective enforcement of existing laws and respect for constitutional freedoms.
If Kenya genuinely seeks to diversify its tourism offerings and compete with destinations that attract millions through music, cultural and lifestyle festivals, then events such as Summertides should be professionally managed, better regulated and responsibly marketed—not condemned out of existence.
The challenge is therefore not whether Summertides should take place. It is whether Kenya can strike the right balance between economic opportunity, constitutional freedoms, public order and respect for the country's cultural and moral values.
Achieving that balance, rather than choosing one side of the debate over the other, will determine whether festivals such as Summertides become lasting assets for Kenya's tourism industry.
