Kenyan gospel rapper Eko Dydda has publicly criticised the way many Kenyans celebrate Easter, lamenting that the true meaning of the holiday has been lost in a culture of partying, drinking, and self-indulgence.
The artiste expressed disappointment in the growing tendency to treat Easter like any other public holiday, rather than a solemn and sacred occasion meant to honour the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, April 20, 2025, Dydda said that Easter, once a deeply significant Christian observance, has been reduced to just another long weekend where people prioritise fun and forget the spiritual importance of the day.
He noted that many people no longer recognise the day as a remembrance of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for humanity and instead view it as an opportunity to take time off and engage in entertainment.
“I think most people nowadays believe Easter is just a party,” he said. “It has turned into a day of celebration and enjoyment, rather than one of reflection and gratitude.”
The rapper pointed out that this mindset is not only limited to Easter but is now a trend that applies to nearly every holiday in the country.
He expressed his frustration at how quickly Kenyans shift from the actual purpose of a national or religious day to activities that have little or nothing to do with its original meaning.
“I think it happens with all holidays,” Dydda observed. “I’m sure there are people who’ve been partying non-stop from Friday all the way to Monday. They are high on water, but they do not celebrate the one who walked on it.”
He went on to say that the phrase ‘high on water’ is a metaphor to describe how people are lost in pleasure, yet completely disconnected from the spiritual symbolism behind the Easter holiday. In his eyes, the disconnect is a troubling reflection of a society that has grown indifferent to its religious roots.
“People don’t even care anymore,” he said. “They think, ‘We’ve been given a holiday,’ so they go ahead and baptise themselves in entertainment. But what they fail to understand is that this day marks the death of the Son of God for all of us.”
According to Dydda, acknowledging this sacrifice is not only important but necessary, and it is disheartening that most people do not even take a moment to observe it.
He emphasised that Easter should be a time of reflection, prayer, and gratitude—not noise, drinking, and revelry.
“Observing this day is a good thing. It helps us remember that someone gave His life for us. That act alone should inspire us to honour Him with more than just a passing thought,” he insisted.
To further illustrate his point, Dydda compared the Easter neglect to the way many Kenyans behave during funerals.
Instead of mourning or finding a meaningful way to remember the deceased, he said, people often turn funerals into social gatherings, forgetting the person who has passed away and failing to honour their memory in a way that aligns with their values.
“You’ll see the same behaviour even at burials,” he said.
“People go to funerals to party. They don’t stop to remember the deceased or do something symbolic in their honour. If the person loved trees, why not plant a tree in their name instead of throwing a party?”