Nairobi, 6th November, 2022
Nairobi City County Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Unit, Liquor Licensing Board and the Kilimani Police last night conducted operations which targeted:-
- Kettle House Bar and Restaurant-Failure to display Liquor license.
- Wama Bar and Restaurant- No Liquor license and obstructing officers from making arrests
- Whisky Hub wines – operating after hours (supposed to close at 11pm. Found operating after midnight)
- Club Hyders -No Liquor license
- Oyster bay – failure to display liquor license.
- The Orchid – Noise pollution
Said Rhoda Otieno, Director, Liquor Licensing, “Managers of the respective restaurants have been arrested for contravening the Nairobi City County Alcoholic Licensing Act(2014) and booked at the Central Police Station. The culprits will be arraigned in court on Monday to answer to charges of operating without a liquor license, contravening the Licensing Act among others. Bars and restaurants operating as night clubs have been put on notice. Nairobi City County will NOT renew licenses of premises that have been notorious for contravening the Alcoholic Licensing Act.
Said Christine Kivuva, “During the raid activities included measuring noise decibels (measured 30meters from the establishment), inspection of licenses by the County Liquor team and arrests of the offenders. Most of these restaurants were playing music at 78.6 decibels which is extremely high and beyond acceptable limits. Permissible levels of vibration for residential areas indoors is 35 decibels during the day and 25 decibels at night, whereas for outdoors the maximum level is 40 decibels during the day and 35 decibels at night. Any limit above the allowed maximum levels is considered an offence.”
This raid comes hot on the heels after the arrest and arraignment in court of QuickMart, Ruai Supermarket manager Mr. Nicholas Kinyua Kariuki and Eric Wanjala respectively for illegal waste dumping by the Nairobi City County Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Unit last Friday morning.
The duo were later arraigned in City Court and charged with contravening the provisions of EMCA and public Health Acts. They were later released on a cash bail of 250,000/- each. Hearing has been set for 14th December.
Speaking after the operations, County Director for Environment and Natural Resources Mr. Paul Malawi warned Nairobians against illegal dumping adding that the fines are very punitive. He urged Nairobians to be responsible of their waste right from how its generated, transported and disposed off.
Said Mr. Malawi, “The operation was mounted after a tip off from members of the public and confirmed that Ruai Quick Mart Supermarket did not have a waste management plan in their premises. They are giving their waste to street urchins who then dump it on the road sides and market areas.”
Mr. Malawi said the county has embarked on a citywide operation to clear Nairobi of waste in line with Governor Sakaja’s vision of a city of order, dignity, hope and opportunity for all. Mr. Malawi also reminded Nairobians that pursuant to County Waste Management 2015, dumping wastes comes with punitive charges of KSh.300,000 for the first offenders and 500,000 for the repeat offenders.
Mr. Malawi mentioned that the County Anti-dumping Unit which has been operational for the last two months, has upscaled its operations across the city to ensure a clean and safe city.
Governor Sakaja Johnson recently reiterated that his government was committed to promoting the right to a clean and healthy environment for Nairobi residents. Said the Governor, “I have also directed the Liquor board to work on modalities of revoking licenses of notorious joints. Businesses should be mindful of the environment that they are currently operating in. Let it be known that it will not be business as usual. Nairobi is the Business, communication and transport hub of Africa and as such there must be order. We will not let chaos reign in this city. We have an image to protect. The city’s image must be restored in line with my vision and manifesto. Anybody found contravening the law will face the music and we will use them to set an example to the rest.”
Ends/..