Governor Sakaja Receives Backing from National Bar Owners Association

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s resolute stance against the proliferation of illicit liquor near crucial transportation hubs has found a staunch ally in the National Bar Owners Association (BAHLITA).

As the Nairobi City County Government intensifies its efforts to curb the illegal sale of wine and spirits to matatu drivers and touts operating around transit stages, the association has come forward to express its endorsement of the initiative.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, February 28, the association’s national chairman, Simon Njoroge said, “Some of the wine and spirits shops are selling alcohol without following the law. Wine and liquor shops are meant to buy and go, not to buy and drink. That is what has caused this uproar. I want to thank the Governor of Nairobi for recognizing this.”

He said the association was seeking the governor’s attention to address some of the challenges facing the liquor sector and how to solve some of the problems and create a good working environment for genuine liquor shops.

“We need to sit down with him to see that if somebody is doing a good business and not selling the alcohol in fractions, let us have serious wines and spirits. Let me be called a wines and spirits wholesaler.”

Wine and spirits shop owners were urged to avoid selling alcohol in wine and spirits shops and to follow the guidelines that apply to them to avoid such conflicts with the authorities.

His views were echoed by the association’s secretary-general, Boniface Gachoka, who said, “We should differentiate between genuine alcohol and businesses and illicit alcohol and unlicensed businesses. We have said that we will not allow illegal businesses to continue to harm our people.”

During the address, the association called on the national government to involve them in the fight against the illicit brew, saying they have the information on the manufacturers and distributors of illegal alcohol.

The association lamented that attempts to contact Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is leading the fight against illicit alcohol, were thwarted by some of the influential people around him.