- Transport sectors raised concern about inconveniences and chaos brought about by liquor-selling joints in matatu stages
- Governor Johnson Sakaja was concerned that matatu drivers and touts were drinking a lot and, besides causing chaos at the termini, were risking other Kenyans’ lives
- The governor ordered the closure of liquor-selling joints operating in matatu stages and bus terminals
The County Government of Nairobi has shut down at least 120 liquor-selling joints for non-compliance.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered the shutting down of wines and spirits shops near matatu and bus terminals. Photo: Governor Johnson Sakaja/Facebook.
Nairobi County closes wine and spirits joints in matatu stages
The crackdown focused on liquor joints, especially wine and spirits, in different undesignated places.
The crackdown comes barely two days after Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that his administration would close down all liquor joints operating in matatu stages and bus termini.
At least 25 bar owners were arrested in the crackdown on Monday, February 26.
A multi-sectoral team comprising the Nairobi Liquor Department, the Security and Compliance Department, and the National Police Service began in Starehe sub-county and will be conducted across Nairobi.
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Wines and spirits joints in Nairobi
Most liquor outlets shut down are Wines and Spirits vending joints near bus stops, terminals, and residential areas.
The move to eliminate drinking and liquor-selling joints from matatu stages was made after Sakaja met with members of the Federation of Public Transport Sector and stakeholders in the industry who complained of inconveniences and disorders caused by the alcoholic drinks-selling joints.
Sakaja announced that the county would no longer tolerate the nuisance and disorder and committed to closing the businesses.
“I have directed the removal of all wine and spirits shops located around Matatu terminals, bus terminals, and bus stops. Most of these outlets have violated their licence regulations and operate as bars,” the County Chief stated.
He also raised concern that the rates at which alcoholism and substance abuse were growing in the city-county were alarming and pledged to put in place measures to reverse the situation.
“Drivers and touts in our matatu stages and termini are drinking a lot of alcohol, and that is why we will close down all wine and spirits joints in these places for the safety and productivity of all Kenyans,” Sakaja said.
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Chief Officer of Security and Compliance Tony Kimani and Judith Anyango, the vice chairperson of the Nairobi County Liquor Board, led the Monday operation.
The outlets shut down are around the famous Country Bus Terminus, Muthurwa Terminus, Hakati Bus Station Terminus, Accra Road Terminus, Latema Road, and Old Nation Roundabout.
They stated that the crackdown will be conducted in all 17 sub-counties in Nairobi. In November 2022, Sakaja commenced his tenure by ordering the closure of nightclubs in residential areas.
The move, which ignited an uproar, brought forth a consultative meeting between bar and club owners and the county authorities. The businessmen were given four months to comply.
Sakaja bans hawking in streets
The Nairobi governor, in October 2023, banned hawking on sidewalks and roads within the Central Business District (CBD).
He declared that nobody would be spared in the clearance and that the law would be enforced fairly to all involved.
The enforcement aroused heated reactions among hawkers who thought the move was going to disrupt business for them.
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