Bar owners operating in Thika Town, Kiambu County have threatened to defy the newly enacted Kiambu Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2018 if it is not amended.
The bar operators led by John Mwangi and Florence Akinyi argued that the new laws are punitive, unrealistic and tailored to kick out upcoming business people out of the trade. “We are not going to follow the new laws nor apply for liquor licenses as directed to do. The county government needs to amend the laws so that nobody is left out. Upcoming business people intending to venture into the bar business will be locked out with the new punitive laws which only favour cartels,” said Mrs Akinyi. On his part, Mwangi said county reinforcement officers who will use force to close down bars which have not met the new standards will have it rough.“We can’t be forced to close down out businesses with the fake new alcoholic laws which we were not consulted before they are enacted. Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu should stop his officers from forcing bar owners to close down the business but instead amend the laws to fit everyone, failure to which the county reinforcement officers will get it rough,” said Mwangi.Mwangi said it is important to amend the law as the traders depend on their businesses to feed their families and pay schools fees for their children.