Reprieve for Nairobi bar owners after MCAs propose reduction of license fees by half

The Nairobi County Assembly proposed that bar and liquor licensing payments be slashed by half, which has made bar and liquor traders happy.
The ideas are included in modifications to the Nairobi County Finance Bill, 2021, which were made in response to a request from traders who expressed their opinions during the public engagement period.
According to County Assembly Budget Chairman Robert Mbatia, bar owners have complained about tough economic conditions as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in revenue loss and the closure of businesses.
“The Bar, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association (BAHLITA) explained to us the journey of opening and operating liquor business and as a committee we saw how difficult it is, and we saw the need to have these charges reduced in our proposal so as to cushion them,” said Mbatia.
Following the proposals, the traders will now pay Sh25,000 for the annual licenses from the current Sh50,000 and pay Sh15,000 for the six months license from the earlier Sh30,000.
The amendment will also see the off-license charges reduced from Sh24,000 annually to Sh12,000 and Sh14,000 for a six-month license reduced to Sh7,000.