The troubles that brought famed Hotel Cathay to its knees

The majestic Hotel Cathay sitting opposite the Jennifer Riria Hub Hotel along Tom Mboya Street was once a hub for both tourists and locals in search of a relaxed, zen place.

Today, it stands deserted, with no activities taking place on the premises except for two individuals who continue to man the facility. Interestingly, despite its inactivity, the building remains remarkably clean.

While the surrounding landscape appears to be occasionally manicured, the building itself, composed of a two-storey section and another three-storey section, shows signs of aging, with chipped paint. Nevertheless, it has maintained its structural integrity.

The hotel was closed in 2020 when COVID-19 hit the country, and has never reopened its doors since.

Joseph Kariuki, commonly known as DJ Karis, was once a DJ at the hotel. He tells Mtaa Wangu that the hotel primarily targeted middle and upper-class residents.

Karis adds that Cathay Hotel was home to Nakuru’s first underground discotheque, a nightclub that featured dancing to recorded or live music, often accompanied by flashy decor and elaborate lighting.

“The discotheque was called Lemon Disco, and it helped the hotel attract many revelers who were considered classy,” he says.

Karis further notes that the hotel changed Nakuru's entertainment scene by replacing the traditional entrance fee with a unique model charging patrons Sh500 per beer instead.

Despite its success, the hotel faced challenges, including three civil cases filed by former employees.

In addition, the hotel management sued Nakuru Players Theatre, accusing them of playing loud music throughout the night, which they claimed disturbed clients and nearby residents. 

The management stated that their requests for the theatre to reduce the volume had been blatantly ignored.

Eventually, Justice Munyao Sila ruled that the two should have handled the matter out of court as 'good neighbours' and each party should bear their own legal costs.

Though its doors have remained shut since 2020, Cathay still holds echoes of its vibrant past.

For now, it stands as a quiet monument to Nakuru’s once-thriving hospitality scene, patiently waiting to see if its lights will ever shine again.