Bar owners in Nakuru have pleaded with authorities, to only close liquor outlets whose licenses were issued contrary to provisions of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, especially those within residential areas and around institutions.

They lamented that over 100 bars that were indefinitely closed down by the National Government Administration Officers, have relevant licenses and were within commercial areas and trading centres and do not fall under any of the restricted areas or infringe on other regulations.

Business community under the auspices of Nakuru Bar Owners Association (NBOA), have further indicated that there was need to differentiate between war on illicit brews and blanket crackdown on legitimate business of beverages, which include alcohol.

NBOA Chairman Dr Abdul Noor emphasised that while the association supports the fight against killer brews, drug and substance abuse, legitimate bars do not sell illicit substances, further asserting that the State order, should not harass them unnecessarily.

“Legitimate bars do not sell illicit liquor or drugs, which is the real ‘elephant’ in the room,” stressed Noor.

Association appealed to the two levels of government, to consider that businesses were still obligated to meet their commitments in terms of licensing, loan repayments, salaries, rent and leases, and the responsibilities of taking care of their families.

According to Dr Noor, the remedy to the fight against illicit brew is not shutting down businesses, but instead having a round-table conversation with stakeholders on the best practices, public civic education, and establishment of an appropriate framework for effective and realistic enforcement approach, which helps in achieving remarkable compliance rate within the industry.

“Bar owners do not manufacture alcohol. The efforts should be directed on ensuring whether the products sold in our premises have met the required standards. We are on record supporting government’s efforts to fight illicit brews in the country,” he noted.

Noor admitted that regulating bars and restaurants, wines and spirits and distributors, would contribute a great deal towards ensuring that the already existing laws were being adhered to.

                                                -KNA