Nakuru bar owners count losses as residents are forced to travel far to get their favourite drink
One of the liquor stores in Nakuru city that have been affected by the closure remains deserted on 8th March 2024,
Damaris Mwangi, a resident of Barnabas Estate, is not a happy woman. The bar she owns in the estate has been closed for the past six days due to a government directive.
She says the bar is her only source of income and its closure has left her in a difficult financial situation.
"I rely heavily on this business to send my children to school and to service the loans I have taken out. We are suffering and we want the government to reconsider its position and go after those who are selling illicit alcohol," said Ms Mwangi.
Damaris Mwangi a bar owner in Nakuru.
She says she is among those who have done their due diligence in acquiring the legitimate licences and certificates that enable her to operate. Therefore, they should not face the same punishment as other rogue businessmen.
Brian Ngure, another bar owner, says he has lost more than Sh30,000 on weekend sales he would have made.
"For most of us, we live from hand to mouth and the money we make on a daily basis is what we use to support ourselves and also our employees and so whenever such hindrances come in our way of doing business, we end up suffering a lot," he said.
Stephen Wekesa a bar owner in Nakuru.
Steve Wekesa from Njoro Sub-county says he is now unable to service the loan he had taken against his business.
"With the closure of our businesses, we are living in fear because we are at risk of defaulting on our loans and you will not tell the bank that your business has been closed and therefore you cannot service the loan. They do not want to hear that. I want to urge the government to kindly hear our cries and come to our rescue," he said.
On the orders of the Cabinet Secretary for Home Affairs and National Government Coordination, Prof Kithure Kindiki, most of the liquor shops that were closed on Thursday night have remained closed.
For those who usually indulge in a drink or two over the weekend, it has also been a tough time.
Willis Odhiambo, a resident of White House, says he was unaware of the situation until Saturday evening.
"I usually like to order my drinks from my favourite liquor shop especially on weekends and have them delivered to my house but last weekend when I called to make a purchase I was told that the shop was closed due to the measures put in place by the government," said Mr Odhiambo.
Odhiambo's experience was echoed by many others who had to travel from their residential areas to the city centre just to buy their drinks.
A spot check by Mtaa Wangu on Tuesday revealed that many of these liquor shops are still closed.