Bar owners in Murang’a County have asked authorities to allow them to operate until the end of the Christmas season before implementing a directive to close premises near schools.

The traders said talks should be held with the government in view of the huge investments that have been made in the hospitality sector.

Speakers at the Bars, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association annual meeting said the closure of the more than 2,257 bars will affect the economy.

“We had started talks with the government about this directive but already some bars are closing down. May the government give us time to consider the matter,” said chairman Simon Njoroge.

The facilities do not affect misbehavior among school children, he added saying through their association they have ensured that members do not sell alcoholic beverages to students.

As schools are on holiday, the affected bars may operate during the festive season before a solution is found, Njoroge said.

“According to the directive, 355 bars in Murang’a county are slated for closure. Many of these bars were established before the schools. Let this issue be handled well so that we do not push some of our businessmen into depression.”

The Interior Ministry issued a directive ordering Nacada and security teams to close bars operating within 300 meters of schools.

Other officials condemned harassment by security agents and called for harmonization of county laws governing liquor establishments.

Some counties have punitive liquor laws and also charge exorbitant licences, taking advantage of bar and restaurant owners.

The traders also demanded fewer point-of-sale inspections, saying many checks have provided a platform for rampant corruption.

“Have our bars inspected once during the opening of the outlet. These many inspections have been being abused by some of the security agents to ask for bribes,” says the association’s secretary, Boniface Gachoka.

County secretary Newton Mwangi promised to spearhead talks between the bar owners and the administration to sort out grievances.