NAIROBI,KENYA NOV 21-Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has met with Nairobi bar owners who have presented their dissatisfaction over the proposed doubling of licensing fees on all the entertainment joints.
The Nairobi city county finance act, proposed that the bar licensing fees should be doubled from 50,000 to 100,000 for all the bars entertainment joints in the city.
Members of the bar association have spotlighted that the bars and entertainment joints especially those with a small capacity, will not afford the proposed fee, cautioning that this step, that it will lead to a massive bar closure in the city.
“This person’s license has gone from 25,000 to 100,000, and that is a 300% raise. The keg bars that usually operate from 5-11PM,cannot afford. In fact, if we implement what has been proposed by the county,80-85% of these bars will be closed,” said Michael Muthami, Chairman PERAK, during the meeting with the governor yesterday.
Responding to their grievances, the governor has assured them that a joint committee which will consisting representatives from the county government and the association of bar owners will be formed to review the fee structure and generate resolutions that will favor both parties.
The Governor has issued the committee with an ultimatum of 7 days to present the final report.
“We will form a working group within us that has seven days, to bring to me what we have agreed and review the proposals,” stated the Nairobi Governor.
