Police target city’s super spreader bars
Nyaboga Kiage and Alvin Mwangi
Police yesterday announced they had identified bars and restaurants which, besides operating past curfew hours, disregard coronavirus protocols.
This is despite the fact that the country is currently experiencing a surge in the number of infections.
Yesterday, Ministry of Health records showed the country has so far recorded 123,000 coronavirus cases, with 2,048 people having died of the disease.
Nairobi is one of the most affected regions.
Several clubs
Sources at Vigilance House said top officers have ordered raids on several clubs. The operations are said to be carried out by officers who are not from the targeted areas.
“We realised that for some reason, our officers were lenient on joints that operate overnight and decided to use different tactics in dealing with the menace,” the source said, adding that the change of tack had yielded better results.
Nairobi Region Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi yesterday warned establishments that violate regulations that their licences will be withdrawn.
“We have conducted serious raids in the last three days. We will keep on enforcing the regulations,” Nthumbi said.
At the weekend, Kilimani-based officers raided Onyx Lounge and Restaurant on Ngong Road and arrested 57 people.
The restaurant is located in an area under the command of Dagoretti police.
The 57 were on Monday arraigned in court and were ordered to carry out community service tasks in the city.
A document in our possession lists several bars in the city as notorious violators.
In Starehe sub-county, they include Club Millionaire, Eureka, Sabina Joy and Chairman Wines and Spirits in Riverlane.
In Embakasi sub-county, Triple H in Donholm, Hornbill in Umoja Estate, Check Mate, Sparks in Kayole, Harris Bar and The Tunnel and Connections are on the list of violators.
In Dagoretti North and South sub-counties the marked joints include Onyx Lounge on Ngong Road, Mialie Lounge on Convert Road and Social Hall on James Gichuru Road.
In Westlands, the clubs include The Hood, Mugumoini, 40 forty, Ashaki, Treasurer Gardens, Blakyz and Yejoka.
Meanwhile, the 57 people arrested at Onyx Lounge and Restaurant have been released on condition that they will face stiffer punishment should they repeat the offence.
“We are working closely with the National Police Service to ensure all those flouting rules will carry out community service tasks,” said Nairobi Metropolitan Services Deputy Director of Enforcement Mark Leleruk.
