Business

Kang’ata expresses shock as 4,500 seek bar licences

Thursday, January 26th, 2023 09:00 | By
Murang'a county governor-elect Irungu Kang'ata. PHOTO/Courtesy
Governor Irungu Kang'ata. PHOTO/Courtesy

Over 4,500 people have applied for licenses to operate bars in Murang’a County. This is against only 11 people who have applied for single business permits in the county government online portal. 

According to Governor Irungu Kang’ata (pictured), the county is in the process of renewing annual licences for all traders in the county and the exercise will be on until end of March.

He said the is surprised by the high number of people seeking to permits operate bars, adding that this is a major concern. “The application is being done online via the county portal where am able to see the numbers and this is not a good thing” he said.

Speaking during a morning talk show in one of the local TV Stations, the Kang’ata said traders have turned alcohol into a money minting business at the expense of ruining people’s lives.

“I think this is purely a moral issue where people don’t care about the damage they will cause to other as long as they are making money on their end” he remarked.

He, however, said the county will be keen to approve only the readers who have met the required guidelines and will cut down on the numbers in a bid to fight alcoholism in the area. “I expect the numbers will go up because the license renewal is ongoing but we will ensure the stick to the law while issuing permits to these traders,” he said.

Highest number

Out of the seven sub-counties, Maragua leads with the highest number of applications at 985, followed by Kiharu with 952, Gatanga 842, Kandara 597, Kigumo 573, Kangema 412 and Mathioya has the least with 406. There has been a growing concern over increased alcoholism in the entire central region as leaders pledge to eradicate the vice which is a ticking time bomb. Kang’ata said this calls for concerted efforts from all the stakeholders to ensure the fight against alcoholism is successful.

“I admit there is a big problem in the region and it’s high time as leaders we think of a lasting solution to save our people from this menace” he added. Several attempts to eradicate alcoholism in the area have been put up but none of them have been successful.

– Wangari Njuguna

More on Business


ADVERTISEMENT