Inside the war between Nakuru bar owners and Defence Forces Canteen (DeFCO)

The Nakuru Bar Owners now says that it will be moving to court to seek legal redress with regards to the operation of Defense Forces Canteen (DeFCO) formerly known as Armed Forces Canteen (AfCo).

According to Edwin Omwanza, the advocate representing the Bar Owners Association, says he will be moving to court on behalf of his clients to compel the government of Kenya through all the agencies involved to ensure his clients get justice in terms of fair competition.

Maina Magano, Chairman of the Nakuru West Bar Owners Association, expressed frustration with the unfair competition posed by the canteen, claiming it sells alcohol at prices lower than those of local bars.

"We are struggling to stay afloat, and we had previously written to the Nakuru County Government asking them to address this issue. We pay significant licensing fees to the County, yet the army, which operates the canteen at the Showground, does not pay any licenses," Mr Magano says.

"Many of our customers choose to go there, leaving us without business," he added.

Magano also raised concerns about underage drinking, alleging that minors are able to purchase alcohol inside the canteen.

In response to the situation, Mtaa Wangu decided to conduct an independent investigation. Upon arriving at the Canteen, we were greeted by an armed officer who requested we leave our IDs at the gate before gaining access to the premises.

Additionally, a woman was denied entry because she lacked an ID card.

To better understand the issue, we spoke with several residents for their opinions.

Fidel Ongolla, a local resident near the ASK Showground, shared that this conflict has been ongoing. "Whenever bar owners complain, the canteen is shut down for a few weeks and then reopened," he explained.

"When the Menengai Oilers have home games, the canteen is often a popular spot for revelers who want to continue partying or buy drinks to enjoy during the rugby match," Mr Ongolla says.

Obae Amos, a Menengai Oilers rugby player who trains at the ASK Showground, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the canteen is a convenient and secure option for many.

"The canteen is well-guarded, and you leave your ID at the gate for security. It's a place for people who can't afford the higher-priced drinks at other bars," Mr Amos says.

Maina, another local resident inside the ASK Showground, offered an interesting perspective.

"This is just the nature of business. Bar owners feel threatened because many people prefer the cheaper alcohol. When DeFCO is open, it attracts partygoers, which impacts surrounding bars," he says.

However, Maina pointed out that even when the canteen is closed, nearby bars don’t necessarily see a spike in business.

"To succeed in this industry, you need to build a loyal customer base that will keep coming back, whether the canteen is open or not," he says.