Kwale bar owners want resumption of night live bands

Kwale bar owners are demanding for the resumption of live band performances in the region. 

The new development comes after the county security team gave a directive that bars should not have night discos due to security reasons and to also curb the spread of Covid-19. 

However, the bar owners, led by their chairman Richard Onsongo, have maintained that the performances are the ones keeping their business afloat and want the order lifted.

Onsongo said the entertainment sector has gone dead for more than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said it is time they should be brought back to life for business to open up.

"The business largely depends on the entertainment industry to keep customers attracted and thrilled, without them there is nothing we get," he said.

According to Onsongo, during Christmas night, officers launched various operations in Diani bars and restaurants stopping night performances. 

Similar operations were reported in other parts of the region.

Initially, the county security team had allowed the hotels to have  entertainment during the day but not go beyond 7pm, while observing all the Covid-19 health protocols.

Residents were also advised to have low key celebrations as they mark the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Onsongo said the cancellation of the night live band performances at the last minute cost their businesses a lot.

He said they could not afford to pay the musicians and the artists who were booked to entertain customers since little money was raised.

Onsongo strongly condemned the act, saying the security team should at least have consulted with them before implementing orders they termed illegal.

"People sleep and come up with their own rules without involving the right stakeholders. If there was a burning issue why not talk to us," he said.

He said bar businesses are targeted by some rivals thus creating unfair competition.

Mshenga Rugha, another bar owner, said the government lifted the night to dawn curfew to allow businesses and the economy to grow.

Rugha said that business people need to be given enough security for a conducive business environment, but not make things hard for them.

He told the security team to ask for more officers to man the county if they feel there is insecurity.

Rugha said the officers are mandated to ensure enough security, and that businesses should be protected all time. 

(edited by Amol Awuor)