Nanyuki
Thursday, April 4, 2024
KNA by Muturi Mwangi
Bars owners’ associations in Laikipia have raised strong objections to a proposed Bill aimed at regulating alcohol usage within the county.The law, set to be introduced in the Laikipia county assembly, has sparked controversy as business owners fear it could hamper their economic prosperity.
The proposed bill seeks to do away with certain licenses previously granted, such as barbecue and special entertainment licenses.
Additionally, there are plans to reduce the number of clubs permitted to operate in the area.
According to Bars Owners Association Chairman Benson Kalama, the enactment of this law would result in a significant loss of employment opportunities for nearly 20,000 individuals employed in the alcohol industry in Laikipia.
‘’These bar businesses are what we depend on, and if they are closed down, the majority of people will be rendered jobless. We call upon our MCAs to revise the bill since we have been in the frontline in the fight against illicit brews,” said Kalama.
Kalama noted that they had not been engaged in selling illicit brews and thus introducing the bill was punitive to the bar owners in the county.
Robert Kabata, Moran lodge and entertainment restaurant owner, pointed out that to maintain that the county’s economy heavily relied on tourism and should not be subjected to the same regulations as regions with different economic foundations like coffee and tea.
‘’Tourism is our only source of income in Laikipia, not like Nyandurua and Nyeri counties where they have tea and other cash crops. Tourism goes hand in hand with entertainment and introducing such legislation is killing our businesses,” said Kabata.
Meanwhile, Laikipia county commissioner Onesmus Kyatha in a past media interview said that they had put measures in place in conjunction with the county government on how to control operating time with bar owners.
Kyatha told bar owners that they should open their premises between 5pm to 11pm on weekdays and on weekends between 2pm to 11 pm, commonly known as Mututho law.
He said action would be taken against whoever flouted the rules,and at the same time cautioned those operating bars disguising them as restaurants that they were required to apply for hotel licenses.
Courtesy; KNA