BY KURGAT MARINDANY
KAJIADO Governor David Nkedianye yesterday refused to bow down to pressure from Maasai women demanding the closure of bars in Isinya town and the entire county.
More than 2,000 women
had converged in Isinya town causing a security scare among bar owners as more than 70 licensed bars remained closed.
The women wanted the governor to ban beer business in the county and have even threatened to make the region “ungovernable” if he did not heed their demands.They want at leastthe number of bars reduced to just 14.
When Nkedianye eventually arrived at a scheduled meeting in Isinya accompanied by area MP Peris Tobiko and members of his cabinet, he made it clear to the women that he would not ban businesses that his government had licensed.
He told them he cannot revoke licences that were acquired legally, reiterating his commitment to the war on second generation liquor.
He said it is against the law for residents to destroy other people’s property in the name of fighting illegal brews. “You are my people and I will work for all of you. Those doing business in the county are free to venture into legal trade and my government will protect their interests,” said the governor.
More than three weeks ago, a group of Maasai women stormed Isinya town and beat up women employees in bars accusing them of “snatching” their husbands.
The group destroyed beer and other drinks worth more than Sh30 million.
The governor said the county’s economy is driven by traders and will protect their rights. He asked the provincial administration and police not to relent in the fight against illegal brews which have taken a toll on the youth.
