No chairs, lounges in wines and spirits: Muthomi Njuki lays down law in Tharaka Nithi

 A wines&spirits in Lang'ata. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has issued a public notice to all bar operators in the county in a bid to curb irresponsible drinking.

The governor, who recently issued an order revoking all alcohol brewing licences in the county, ordered that bars will only be allowed to operate between 5pm and 11pm.

Njuki also instructed wines and spirits to stick to 'sale services' only and do away with chairs.

"Wines and spirits are prohibited from having lounges or chairs for consumers, they shall offer sale services exclusively," he said.

Further, only 16 towns are allowed to have bars and restaurants; they are; Kathwana, Marimanti, Chogoria, Chuka, Mitheru, Kaanwa, Tunyai, Gatunga, Nkondi, Kibugua, Chiakariga, Mukothima, Magutuni, Marima, Itugururu and Kibunga.

The major towns allowed to operate nightclubs are; Chogoria, Marimanti, Kathwana and Chuka.

Also, the number of licensed bars and wines&spirits will only constitute a third of the business environment of any town in the county.

 Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki [Dennis Kibuchi, Standard]

In November 2022, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also revoked licenses of nightclubs and wines&spirits joints in residential areas to control noise pollution.

Sakaja further directed that liquor joints provide parking spaces for the clients, saying, "vehicles causing obstruction along roads and footpaths shall be impounded."

The move followed complaints by Nairobi residents about noise pollution from entertainment joints, with some suing bar owners.

In recent months, wines&spirits have gained popularity in residential areas and the influx of clients has made some of them provide tables and chairs.

In January, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua instructed county administrators in Mt Kenya region to crack the whip on alcohol abuse in their respective areas lest they lose an entire generation.

The DP further stated that only one bar and restaurant should be licensed in each town.

"I urge all the county governments from Mt Kenya region to go back to the round table and revoke the many licenses you have issued to bars and restaurants as they are destroying our children...

"When these roads are completed who will use them? Bars are more than shops and hotels. Only one bar and restaurant should be licensed in each town. All the others must be closed down and opened from 5 to 11pm," said Gachagua.