Nairobi's Simmers Restaurant which is located on Kenyatta Avenue has been shut down.
The bar and restaurant which has been one of the most popular joints in the CBD over the years was closed on Friday after police invaded the premise.
It is alleged that the restaurant was not in good books with the county government over land rates and it also faced a battle of ownership.
[caption caption="Simmers Bar and Restaurant Closed and Property Removed from the Premises "]
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All the furniture was thrown out on the street, much to the surprise of revellers who frequent the joint.
“I do not know what is going on. I do not know why this is happening.
“The police have stormed here, and instead of being an arbiter they have come with orders that have not even been served on me. This is impunity!” the owner, former Kimilili MP Suleiman Murunga, was quoted by the Nation.
Reports indicate that the family of former Finance Minister Arthur Magugu claim ownership of the plot on which the restaurant sits, alongside Nilestar Holdings Limited.
Murunga, however, holds a different opinion, stating that the ownership of the plot by Nilestar lapsed when its 99-year lease ended in December 2009, hence they have no right to demand rent.
In 2014, Murunga told the court that he is the rightful owner as he was awarded the property in 2011 by the Commissioner of Lands after Nilestar’s lease expired.
Towards the end of 2017, Nilestar Holdings had unsuccessfully tried to evict simmers over Sh1.62 million rent arrears.
[caption caption="File of Photo of Revellers at Simmers"]
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