Bars, Hotels and Wines and spirits owners have sounded a strong message to Government over what they term is harsh operation environment that is impacting negatively on their businesses
Speaking in Nakuru on Thursday November 5, 2026 during their annual National General meeting the operators decried the huge licensing fee they are charged by government.
Under their Umbrella Bars, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association(BAHLITA), they stated that the Mututho Laws moreso on operation hours was impacting negatively on their businesses with some having to pay huge fines for delaying to shut at 11pm.
BAHLITA Secretary General Boniface Gachoka who addressed press during the AGM held at Al Capone Nakuru, passed a strong message to the government calling for a relook into some of the issues aforementioned which he said are affecting members.
While noting that there have been over 300 laws and regulations on matters liquor, the BAHLITA SG revealed that they have an omnibus bill before Parliament of Kenya that will address some of their concerns.
He pointed out that illicit brew still remains a challenge in various parts of the country that leads to government losing close to 400 billion shillings annually.
According to the BAHLITA SG, the issue of illicit brew should be addressed at manufacturing level where there is a lot of illegal ethanol making way into the country through boarders.
“Our members do not manufacture the illicit alcohol and second generation ones you see in the market and therefore we need to address the menace from the source.
This, Gachoka said will be addressed through the Omnibus Bill that BAHLITA members have come up with.
Due to lack of clarity in the current law, Gachoka stated that police officers have been harassing BAHLITA members who delay even with 10 minutes to shut their outlets and taking away the whole stock in the name of evidence, and when taken to court some are found broken or tampered with.
He was however optimistic that with the new omnibus bill, all will be well adding that President Ruto should address the same and push the Bill as BAHLITA members have more than votes which he can bank on come 2027.
“We urge the President to talk to majority leaders in National Assembly and Senate so that the Bill can sail through to save our businesses,” stated Gachoka.
BAHLITA National Chair Amb. Simon Njoroge on his part called on County Governments to check on the issue of operational hours for the bars, adding that opening the premises at 5 and closing at 11 does not make sense and profit to owners.
On the issue of illicit brew menace in the country, the BAHLITA National Chair lauded that they their representatives in the Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki-led Committee towards addressing the same.
He reiterated that as BAHLITA, they do not manufacture illicit brew, but will work with all stakeholders to ensure an end to the same across the country.
Njoroge called for unity among the BAHLITA members.
“For BAHLITA members let us remain united moving forward,” he said.
Faith Mwende- a member of BAHLITA from Mombasa pointed out that their businesses have continued to employ many hence government should not have harsh environment for them.
She reiterated the need for the government both at National County level to work closely with BAHLITA in ensuring a better environment for businesses.
During the AGM, members also elected their various county officials.
