In what is seen as a rare scenario, Bar owners,hotel and liquor traders congregated for a Sunday service at Kingdom Generation Centre-Checkpoint in Nakuru West sub county.
The service hosted by Pastor Peter Muraguri saw the traders pray for divine intervention after COVID-19 negatively impacted their businesses after the closure directive issued by the government.
Their hope is that their Prayers will be answered and eventually government will announce the re-opening of their businesses.
Addressing the media after the service, the traders led by Association of Bar Owners Secretary General Boniface Gachoka assured the government that they will follow all protocols and any guidelines that will be directed to them upon resumption of their businesses after six months of shut down due to COVID-19.
The traders made an appeal to President Uhuru Kenyatta to allow them resume operations.
While noting that the liquor sector has greatly been hit following the COVID-19 pandemic, they said they are ready for the re-opening.
“To the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta we plead that we may now re-open our businesses. Our members have agreed to follow all protocols and any other guidelines that will be directed to us” said Bar Owners Association Secretary General Boniface Gachoka.
Gachoka lauded bar owners for their patience during the COVID-19 pandemic where no single owner moved to court to challenge the government’s move to shut down bars.
He however called on the national government to ensure the Ksh 2 billion meant for the Hotel and Tourism industry benefit the intended group.
According to Gachoka, a section of individuals are out to interfere with the process of ensuring the money befit the sector.
He added that if the money will not reach them, then many businesses in the sector will shut down since they are already bearing the scars occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
“We would also wish to request the President that the Ksh 2 billion he said would be pumped into the Hotel and Tourism sector that he may see to it that it is indeed pumped into the industry” said Gachoka.
Gachoka also calls on the bar and pub owners to ensure they join the Association of bar owners for easy addressing of the challenges they are going through.
Hotel workers Chairman Shem Benjamin narrating how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact in the society.
He says many families have had challenges with even some experiencing cases of separation and divorce as men failed to provide for basic needs such as food and rent after they were rendered jobless.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly hit our workers too in the hotel industry. Families have been affected in many ways” he said.
The Bars,Hotels and Liqour Traders are optimistic that the President’s address will factor in their grievances and allow them to resume operation.