Bar and club owners in Nairobi have welcomed Governor Johnson Sakaja's directive for enforcement officers to cease night raids at their establishments.
The county boss said enforcement of compliance on sale of liquor and operation of bars and nightclubs should not be used to harass business owners.
"What good does it do to raid clubs, arrest the DJ, confiscate his equipment and send clients scampering? Sakaja posed while giving the directive.
"This is not the goal. The goal is to ensure that the proprietors follow the law," Sakaja said on Tuesday.
Bars, Hotels and Liquor Traders of Kenya Association (BAHLITA) welcomed the move saying "We owe this to God".
"We take this earliest opportunity to thank His Excellency Governor Sakaja for the continued support of the liquor industry. Our governor 2027 and beyond," the association led by Secretary General Boniface Gachoka and chair Simon Njoroge said in a statement.
While issuing the directive during a Cabinet meeting, Sakaja said the arrest of offenders of county regulation of the operation of bars and nightclubs should be done in an orderly manner.
On August 18, Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza directed the deputy county commissioners to compile a list of bars and restaurants that are flouting the law and causing noise pollution in residential areas.
He said the directive followed several complaints from some sub-counties that there are some noisy nightclubs still operating in residential areas.
"As you are fully aware, the government clearly stated that no club should operate in residential areas or near 300 metres of learning institutions. While this has been implemented in some areas, there is clearly inadequate action being taken in some areas," Mwanza said.
BAHLITA apologised to affected residents and called for the resolution of the issue through diplomacy.
