Nakuru County has always been referred to as the religious hub of the country owing to the prayer centres present including the Subukia Shrines, caves at Menengai Crater, the Holy caves of Njoro, Heavens gate, just to mention a few.

So strong is this religious wave that one of the popular nightclubs was converted to a church!

99 rounds, which was an up-and-coming club in the leafy suburbs of Naka, is now JCM church.

Previously, before it became 99 rounds, it was Xcape; a place that was always frequented by those who lived in Naka and Section 58 simply because of convenience and the reduced staggering distance.

Revellers would always associate the club with loud music, bright lights and suggestive paintings on the walls. Outside were numerous cars parked right outside the entrance, with others even being parked right by the road side.

‘Mtu wa mayai’ would be found in a corner ready to overfeed you with boiled eggs with a dash of kachumbari.

When Mtaa Wangu visited the church yesterday, one could hear the ongoing praise and worship session from the road. There were very few cars parked outside and, mtu wa mayai was nowhere to be seen.

Well, thanks to the new occupants, the nightclub’s happy hour will now be turned to holy hour. Y’all should not worry though, there is still a lot of spirit to go around.

Inside, there was no sign that there was ever a club. The place was set up fully with an altar, with the choir and band arranged around it, as congregants sat on plastic chairs.

The interior view of JCM church which used to be 99 rounds night club.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

One of the congregants, Dennis Miriti says they held their first service yesterday (Sunday) and the church was full to capacity.

"As you can see, construction works are still ongoing but everything is going on well. We had to do a lot of reconstruction over a three weeks’ period, but we have managed to successfully complete most of the work to enable us hold our first service today," he says.

He continues to say, " We will communicate in due time about the mid-week services."

JCM church now joins a long line of churches along the Naka- Free Area stretch.

However, for those who are worried that there is one less entertainment joint in Nakuru, msijali, Wave XO is up and running.

Nakuru's popular nightclub now a church!

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Bret Sanya