Closure of bars spells doom for Murang'a economy

One of the popular bars in Kiarutara market which was closed four months ago. [Photo: Boniface Gikandi/Standard]

Solomon Kamau wa Njambi is a tea farmer in Kiarutara market and over the years has enjoyed his annual tea bonus locally. But this year he was forced to relocate to the neighbouring Mataara market in Kiambu County.

Like many of his colleagues, Kamau is forced to spend his annual bonus payment several ridges away from home after the Murang'a County government ordered the closure of the seven liqour outlets in Kiarutara four months ago.

"Today, friends meet to organise a seven-kilometre walk to Mataara or to Gatura in the opposite direction for weekend binges. This is taking us several decades back," said Mr Kamau whom The Standard met in Gatura market.

Some locals claim absence of the liquor outlets in the once-vibrant Kiarutara market in Gatanga, could haunt the area as most men have now shifted to neighbouring markets.

A visit to the once-vibrant market revealed business activity had considerably declined with some of the major shops and mobile money transfer premises closing down.

It’s all quiet in Kiarutara, which was once synonymous with drunkards dancing uncontrollably in broad daylight or sleeping in stupors on a lawn outside the market's slaughterhouse.

Abandoned sacks

"This grassy patch here," said Grace Wanja pointing to the lawn, "was like a dumpsite with up to 20 grown up but comatose men snoring the day away. From afar, you could have said they looked like abandoned sacks of grain."

But there is a flip side to the quiet in the market. Beer lovers trek to far off places and sometimes spend the night there leaving their families suffering especially due to heavy rains that have made Chania River, which is on the border to Mataara market, break its banks.

Many have lost their tea proceeds to crooks and gangsters in the neighbouring markets and one Kamau Kagogo recently spent a night on a tea plantation near Gatura market to escape an ambush that could have seen him lose Sh40,000.

Landlords are counting loses as those who had rented their premises are relocating in search of greener pasture leaving once-treasured investments rotting away. Kiarutara market previously hosted 150 traders but the number has reduced to less than 80.

The church has, however, remained defiant to the public request to open at least two bars calling on the bar operators to turn their premises into hotels or shops specialising in selling agricultural inputs.

With the emerging threat facing families as a result of migrating businesses, some women are demanding the licensing of outlets.

The market used to close after 11pm but now goes to sleep as early as 7pm. Boda boda operators chairman John Mwangi said the average income for his members had reduced from Sh1,500 to Sh400.

"Now the boda boda business is under threat as the men walk to Mataara or Gatura markets and only board motorcycles from there on the way back," Mr Mwangi said.

Milka Wambui said there is need to ensure protection of families because many men fail to return home from drinking sprees. In the absence of operating liquor outlets, she said, many families have experienced challenges as reports indicate many of the men have squandered their bonus payments alone.

The women are in agreement that Governor Mwangi wa Iria should save the market from imminent death.

"Four months ago, the presidential directive on the crackdown on illicit brews in Central region was implemented but the local women took charge here. But now there is need to review the decision to protect the local economy," Ms Wambui said.

Peter Mwangi, who operated a chain of businesses, has been forced to close down his butchery in the market and sack his nine employees.

"Many of the traders are closing down their businesses because they are unable to service their loans as the banks threaten to auction property to recover their money," Mr Mwangi said.

Financial dilemma

Simon Njoroge, who operated a bar, said he spent a fortune on refurbishing his premises to match the standards required by the county government.

"The traders are in a major financial dilemma as we continued paying rent to our landlords hoping our plea will be heard," Mr Njoroge said.

Chairman of the Gatanga Bar Owners Association Peter 'Jogoo' Njoroge said all residents concerns must be put into consideration. Bar traders at Kiarutara, he said, feel financially threatened as the county government has dragged its feet after the inspection of premises was conducted.