Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has no power to revoke nightclub licences, Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya chairman Michael Muthami has said
Speaking on Thursday, Muthami said that the environmental department is the one mandated to shutdown noisy bars.
"It was a blanket statement, first it was illegal, he does not have the power to revoke, Nairobi Liquor Board is the only board that can revoke. There is a clear procedure on how to revoke a licence," he said on Spice FM.
Muthami claimed that Sakaja's blanket nightclub directive has affected compliant establishments, opening a gap for police to collect bribes.
"Police are walking into bars and extended licenced areas in malls telling people to go home. The gap for corruption has become huge," he said.
"People are afraid to go and have a drink in their local pub because they do not know whether police are going to turn up."
Muthami said that Sakaja's statement may have been misunderstood and called on the governor to clarify it.
Police detained more than 200 revellers and confiscated 12 licences after Sakaja issued directive to ban noisy bar and nightclub in residential areas.
Police said they also targeted bars that were operating beyond the stipulated time.
Sakaja said henceforth his administration will not issue or renew licences for nightclubs in residential areas.
