Bar owners petition President Uhuru to extend operating hours
By Alvin Mwangi, May 6, 2021Hospitality sector stakeholders have accused Ministry of Tourism of standing between and the Sh2 billion stimulus package from the government, that was meant to cushion the industry from impacts of Covid-19 pandemic.
They also pleaded with President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider increasing their operation hours until 9pm, saying the two hours from 5pm they are allowed to operate is not enough to make meaningful sales.
“Our businesses are already deflated and we are pleading with our good president to at least give us some allowance,” Bar Hotels Liquor Traders Association of Kenya (BAHLITA) chair Simon Njoroge said yesterday.
President Kenyatta in his Labour Day address allowed bars to operate until 7 pm instead of 9pm as was the case before they were closed on March 29.
On the stimulus package, Njoroge described the rules put in place by Tourism ministry for them to acquire the funds as draconian, adding that they appear to have initiated to lock them out.
“ It’s sad that all our 54,000 members countrywide have been applying for the money but no one has ever gotten a chance because of the conditions put in place.
Some of the requirements are just impossible and unimaginable,’ he said.
Njoroge identified some of the requirements that have proved to be obstacles in the attempt to access the money include the demand that someone must produce a title deed yet some of the businesses are just startups.
Other requirements are tax compliance certificate, pension scheme, a certificate to show that you pay tourism levy, National Health and Insurance Fund among others.
Boniface Gachoka, BAHLITA Secretary General said while resumption of operations by bars is welcome, the association would more than happy if the President would consider increasing the hours of operation.