Pubs, restaurants owners ask Kenyatta to lift curfew - Capital Business
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Simon Njoroge National Chair BAHLITA, Micheal K. Muthami National Chair PERAK and Frank Mbogo Nairobi Chair PERAK during the press briefing.

Companies

Pubs, restaurants owners ask Kenyatta to lift curfew

NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 19 – The Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) Tuesday urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift all curfew restrictions in order to allow bars and restaurants in the country to operate fully.

Speaking at a press conference, Michael Muthami, Perak National Chairman decried that the curfew had reduced incomes of the hospitality sector workers who have felt the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He further called out the unjustness of the containment measures on bars and restaurants, compared to other sectors which resumed normal operations.

“The entertainments sector seems to be the only one facing unfair restrictions as all other sectors are open – matatus are operating at full capacity, supermarkets and other markets are open and churches are open and functioning normally,” Muthami decried.

“So, it is time for the President to open up the country,” he added.

PERAK Nairobi Chapter Chairman Frank Mbogo, who was also present at the conference, urged the government to ease the restrictions and only reinstitute them once the country records a surge in COVID-19 cases.

“Medical professionals are supporting the call to lift the curfew, more focus should be placed on the roll out of vaccines to Kenyans. The government should only impose strict measures only when there is an upsurge in infections,” Mbogo said.

On October 4, the Government announced an extension to the nationwide curfew for a further 30 days to allow the government to vaccinate as many people as possible.

The curfew which runs from 10 pm to 4 am has now been in force for over one and a half years.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Alcoholic-selling entities, however, are required to close their businesses by 7 pm while restaurants should close by 9 pm.

The 2021 economic survey released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that the measures had  a detrimental effect on the country’s economy

KNBS noted that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) missed out about Sh6.3 billion in excise revenues, with excise revenue levied on beer, wines, and spirits falling by 19 percent to Sh34.8 billion from Sh41.4 billion in 2019.

 

Advertisement

More on Capital Business

Government

KISII, Kenya July 30 – In the last few weeks, Kenyans have been struggling to cope with the rising cost of food prices brought...

Enterprise

NAIROBI, Kenya March 11-Payment solutions provider, Pesapal has outlined technology-based solutions for the bar and entertainment industry that will help restaurant owners and managers...