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Kenya: Alcohol Lobby Group Urges Govt to Extend Bar Operating Hours

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4 years ago

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Nairobi — Alcohol manufacturers have petitioned the Government to lift the restrictions on bar operating hours due to reduced Covid-19 positivity rate and increased vaccination countrywide.

The manufacturers say allowing bars and restaurants to operate longer would create more employment opportunities and help businesses in the hard-hit sector recover and become competitive.

Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) chairman Eric Githua, in a petition, addressed to the National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) said that increasing the availability of licensed alcohol would also help keep customers away from the illicit variety, whose consumption has grown during the pandemic.

“ABAK notes the Covid-19 positivity rate in the last week has been averaging below five percent, which is the recommended rate by the World Health Organisation for consideration in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of Covid-19,” Githua said.

Currently, bars are allowed to operate until 7pm with the majority, which opens at 5 pm, operating for two hours a day.

He said the negative socio-economic situation the alcohol industry was thrown into at the onset of the pandemic would be mitigated by allowing bars and restaurants to operate longer.

The alcoholic beverages industry collectively contributes more than Shs130 billion annually in taxes in addition to the thousands of Kenyans who are employed both directly and indirectly by the industry.

Githua said allowing longer hours would also have a positive impact on manufacturing, which is one of the current administration’s vital areas of focus under the Big Four Agenda.