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Bar owners in parts of Mombasa have decried what they term forcible and indefinite closure of their businesses by the national government administration officers.

In Changamwe, some bar owners said they were ambushed and forced to shut down despite having prerequisite licenses. In new plan to regulate liquor business, the Government is targeting to shut down bars in residential areas and near learning institutions.

Entrepreneurs said they have accrued losses running into millions of shillings since the crackdown started.

 “They came during the official working hours at around 5.30pm, saying all bars are operating without licenses and should all be closed down. To date we are not in operation,” said Faith Mwende, a former county legislator.

She said bar owners are the biggest investors in Mombasa county, employing over 50,000 people directly and indirectly.

 “We are the ones who pay the most in licenses in Mombasa. But the funny thing is these NGAO came without any county government officials yet they are the ones who license us,” the former Kipevu MCA said.

She noted most of the bar owners had been given 2024 invoices by the county government most of whom have paid. The county had given them up to March 31 to pay the 2024 liquor license.

“Apart from that, we have a pending matter in court about the Mombasa County Liquor Licensing Act of 2014. There is also that pending matter of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of the National government. Why are they acting on matters that are in court pending determination?” Mwende posed.

 They said Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had categorically only talked about bars operating near institutions like schools, churches, hospitals, mosques, residential areas, among others, that should be relocated.

 “And even these should be given adequate notice first,” the bar owners said, noting that all the bars that were closed down are within commercial areas and do not fall under any of the restricted areas.

 They explained that before they apply for the licenses, they pay Sh10,000 application fee and inspectors sent to cross check the proposed location to ascertain they are not within the restricted areas before a license is issued.