Embu: Governor Mbarire shuts down clubs found selling alcohol to students

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire on Wednesday, November 30 revoked licenses of two nigh clubs found selling alcohol to 28 high school students in Runyenjes town, Embu East.

While addressing a group of farmers during the issuance of cheques worth Ksh125.87 million from National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) at the University of Embu, Mbarire said the two entertainment joints had gone against the law to sell alcohol to school children.

The seemingly agitated governor warned that no clubs will be given licenses to destroy the lives of young children.

Mbarire said Oxic 14 and Tropical clubs were acting in disrespect of the law because they were not minding the future of the young generation.

"Today, I have directed my County Executive Member for trade to revoke the license for two clubs that were selling alcohol to teenagers. We cannot entertain this," she said.

The UDA governor said the two closed clubs will serve as an example to other bar operators who will engage in such kind of manner in future.

Further, she warned that those who will be found selling liquor to minors, especially during this holiday season will have their businesses closed.

Embu County Commissioner

Her sentiments were echoed by Embu County Commissioner Stephen Kihara who said it was devastating to see young people taking seats in entertainment joints.

Kihara said there is a need to have a county declaration that no young person should have a chance at all to take alcohol.

"We shall close all the clubs selling alcohol to students. We cannot entertain such nonsense to our children," he said.

He also urged parents to have close monitoring of their children especially this holiday season so that they don't engage in activities that may jeopardize their academic journey.

Police in Runyenjes Sunday night arrested 28 high school students after they were found partying in the clubs.

While confirming the incident Embu East Subcounty deputy county commissioner Jane Waruige said the students were 21 boys and 7 girls.

Waruige said some students are candidates who will be seating their KCSE exams and others are distributed in other classes.

The closure of the two clubs in Embu came days after several nightclubs in residential areas of Nairobi were Sunday night raided by police officers enforcing an order by the Nairobi County government.

The raid came shortly after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja shared pictures of police officers ready for deployment.

"Last call. No nightclubs in residential areas. Goodnight," he captioned the photos.

In a notice on Friday, November 25 Sakaja banned nightclubs from operating in residential areas following numerous complaints from the public on noise emanating from bars, restaurants, nightclubs and liquor-selling premises.

The governor stated that no nightclub licenses will be issued to premises operating in residential areas and added that licenses would only be issued to clubs within the Central Business District (CBD) and specified streets.

The county boss additionally stated that licences already issued to nightclub owners in residential areas were cancelled.

"No nightclub licenses will be issued or renewed for premises operating within residential areas. Those already issued are hereby cancelled and establishments may continue operating as bars and restaurants only," Sakaja stated.

He added: "Henceforth, nightclub licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District and specified streets in other non-residential areas."

He underscored that bars and restaurants in the areas described above must stop playing loud music past 10:00 pm.

"Bars and restaurants in residential areas must operate within the specified time and control noise emanating from their premises, specifically, playing of music must stop by 10 pm," Sakaja stated.

Further, the county chief directed that all liquor-selling premises in the county should provide adequate parking space for its clients and subsequently warned that vehicles causing obstruction along roads and footpaths will be impounded.