Kibera bar operators on Thursday accused their counterparts in Nairobi’s central business district of failing to prevent underage youth from their joints.
The rising incidents of minors being caught in ‘adults-only’ joints continue to raise questions as to whom is to blame on moral decay among the youth.
The recent case of more than 200 boys and girls arrested by police in a Nairobi bar while drinking alcohol and engaging in drugs and sexual activities has mounted pressure on the management of such joints.
“We don’t allow anybody who is below 18 years to get into this place that is what the law states. We can never be happy if our children engage in drinking alcohol, using drugs, or engaging in sexual activities. It is our responsibility because these are like our children,” said Thomas Nyamasaye, the manager of Sky Villa Bar at Ayany estate.
“It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that these children don’t get access to these places because their parents can’t follow them everywhere,” added Nyamasaye.
Abdallah Muriani, a bar tender at Checkpoint Bar and Restaurant in Bombolulu said admission into the bar is only possible when one has a national ID.
“I think guys in town are not doing the right thing because for us we don’t allow excuses at the entrance of this bar. One has to produce a national identification card before being allowed in; there are those who even pretend that they want to go for a short call inside the bar,” said Muriani.
At Dots Bar and Restaurant in Ayany, services are unique since admission into the joint is subject to confirming one’s membership.
“Our services are unique because we register members who have attained 18 years and above. Only members are allowed in while non-members are considered after presenting their IDs,” explained Silas Okuku, manager of at joint.
“Every bar management especially in the CBD should help in ending this rot. Parents should also put their families in order by being strict and in full control on their children,” he added.