Nairobi County Gov’t dismisses calls to shut down 43 bars over noise

Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri has said that the county government will not close any bar as long as they are compliant with the law.

Addressing members of the Bar Owners Association and Residents’ Association during a stakeholder consultative forum in Nairobi on Wednesday, Muchiri said the current leadership is focused on expanding the business environment and creating more opportunities in that sector.

He dismissed recent calls which advocated for at least 43 bars in the city’s uptown residences to be shut down over noise pollution.

"We are about creating opportunities and developing a conducive environment for the business community to thrive, not closing down people's business in Nairobi, but people must also comply to the laws governing the running of the business," Muchiri said.

The deputy governor said there is need for collaboration and continuous dialogue between the business community and their respective residents’ associations in ensuring that the zoning laws are adhered to within the areas to avoid conflict.

This he said while calling for quarterly roundtable stakeholder meetings between residences and business owners to review progress made.

"The Sakaja government is pro-business and we want to grow business, we are focusing on changing how our enforcement is done, and change to be customer based and offering support to business and not harassing them," DG Muchiri remarked.

The Bar Owners Association led by their chairperson Mike Muthamia called for the review of the county liquor licencing and alcoholic laws saying the current regulations are outdated and need to be amended to reflect modern lifestyle and business.

At the same time, Mr. Muthamia advocated for a peaceful co-existence between residents and business owners, promising that the association would abide by the county directives.

"We are ready to self-regulate under the guide of the county government, we also need to have residents’ association included in the sub-county liquor licencing committee,” he said.