Tourists shun bars over new law

By ANTONY GITONGA

Nakuru County

International and local tourists are avoiding bars and restaurants in and around Naivasha Town due to the new alcohol law.

Following the move, beer and soft drinks sales have dropped by about 25 per cent with fears it could get worse during the festive season.

According to Naivasha Bar Owners and Operators (Naboa), tourists were shunning social places for parks or hotels around the lake.

The operators lashed at local MP John Mututho who was the brains behind the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, saying he never consulted them.

Naboa chairman Mwangi Muraya said the Act had brought fear, confusion and misery in the sector.

"Since the Bill became law, we have seen our sales drop drastically and it is not only beer that is affected but also soft drinks," he said during an end-of-year party for operators in Jaza Resort in Naivasha.

The secretary, Mr Joseph Maina, said more than 5,000 workers would lose jobs in the lakeside thanks to the law he termed punitive.

Maina said the Act contradicted Vision 2030’s aspirations, which indicated businesses would operate throughout. "We have been given a raw deal as butcheries and shops are operating for as long as they want yet we are supposed to pay equal rent."

He added that once the regulations were out, nearly half of the bars in the town could be forced to close down leaving many jobless.

Night workers

A leading operator, Mr Pups Nyanjua of Sundowner Bar, said the Act had condemned those who work at night to misery.

"We have employed waiters, bouncers and even watchmen and we wonder what will happen to them with this new law," said Nyanjua.

He said the Act failed to address real issues like illegal beer dens, adding that once fully enacted, then it would cause more havoc than good.

"The Bill was passed by very few Members of Parliament and we are asking for amendments in some sections," he said.

The new law is aimed at curbing alcohol abuse.