Popular clubs Kiza, B-Club, Space Lounge and Grill and Explorers Tavern suffered a blow in their push to reopen. The four clubs were shut down in 2019 after residents in Kilimani, Nairobi, raised concerns on noise pollution.
Appellate Court judges Hannah Okwengu, Gatembu Kairu and Agnes Murgor rejected applications by B-Club and Kiza Restaurant and Lounge to temporarily stop government's plan to revoke their licences.
The judges based their ruling on the fact that the case was still in court and an appeal filed was pending.
They added that they were not persuaded that the appeal would be rendered useless if the clubs' requests were not granted.
In August 2020, requests by Space Lounge and Grill and Explorer's Taverns were rejected.
The club owners lamented that they faced financial constraints owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and that reopening the businesses would boost the economy and provide employment to hundreds of Nairobi residents.
The investors added that the clubs also faced permanent closure as they were unable to offset bills and manage the premises.
All clubs argued that the judges who ordered closures did not analyse the evidence and would have only directed them to reduce noise rather than be shut down.
The owner of 1824 Whiskey Bar on Lang’ata Road also moved to court seeking orders to authorise police officers to reopen the club.
1824 was shut down on November 17 after the law enforcers accused them of flouting Covid-19 rules.
Dates for mention for all cases will be disclosed by various courts.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Monday, September 28, directed bars to reopen and directed to open until 10 p.m.
