Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is mulling drastic changes in nightclub operations across the city after a record number of liquor stores were found to be operating without licenses.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the county stated that Sakaja will soon roll out the zones for the operation of nightclubs.
This, he explained, was meant to provide a conducive environment for the businesses as well as protect people in residential areas.
While speaking during a meeting with Bar Owners Association leadership, the governor noted that out of an estimated total of 13,000 liquor outlets in the County, only 30 per cent were licensed.
9,100 outlets, accounting for 70 per cent of the nightclub, were said to be operating without licenses.
Sakaja insisted that the safety of the people cannot be guaranteed if outlets are not regulated, adding that the unlicensed premises contribute greatly to the proliferation of illicit and counterfeit alcoholic drinks.
He urged stakeholders to emulate those who had adhered to noise regulations noting that road users were safe and complaints had reduced significantly.
In line with new plans to regulate nightclubs and the recent increase in licensing fees across the county, Sakaja formed a committee which will collect views from the stakeholders.
He noted that the team will be tasked to develop proposals which will be assessed and adopted by the County Assembly. The committee is expected to table its report in a week’s time.
At the beginning of November, Sakaja rolled out steep increases in annual fees charged to retail outlets at Ksh100,000 from Ksh25,000.
The off-license fee, on the other hand, rose to Ksh50,000 from Ksh12,000.
Some of the stakeholders in the industry lamented that the steep increase was disproportionate and accused the county of not specifying the type of businesses that would be subjected to the new changes.
