Bar owners criticize County Government for unfair crackdowns

BY RITA MUTHONI

Bar owners in Embu County have voiced their frustration and criticism against the local government, accusing them of unfair crackdowns and excessive regulation.

Those who spoke said the county government’s failure to conduct proper inspections before issuing licenses had led to the closure of bars in ‘unsuitable’ areas.

Highlighting the losses they incur when police seize their entire stock, suspecting it as counterfeit for testing purposes during raids, the traders accused some law enforcement officers of harassment while taking advantage of the ongoing crackdown.

“The county government’s crackdowns have been disproportionately severe, causing undue hardship to our businesses. We understand the need for regulation, but the current approach is excessive and lacks transparency,” said Abraham Gicovi, the Embu Bar Owners Association chairman.

Several bar owners also alleged corruption within the regulatory bodies, accusing officials of demanding bribes for leniency or favorable treatment.

“It’s incredibly frustrating and unfair,” added Carol Nyaga, a bar operator in Runyenjes Constituency.

The worried traders spoke in a meeting attended by county officials including the County Executive Committee (CEC) for Trade, the County Commissioner, the Police Commander, and representatives from the Ministry of Health.

Addressing the worried merchants, Embu County Commissioner Jack Obuo acknowledged the concerns raised by the bar owners, stating that the county was actively working to address the issues.

“The County Government is focused on clarifying policies to ensure bar operations are not misled,” he said.

Commissioner Obuo also warned police officers against accepting bribes, emphasizing his commitment to removing all compromised officers.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Francis Ndwiga, defended the county government, saying it will engage a multi-agency team to conduct physical inspections and licensing of bars to prevent such situations from occurring in the future.

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