Two arrested as bar in Nyamira refuses to lock out thirsty clients

Two bar operators have been arrested in Nyamira County for flouting the Presidential order directing that all bars remain closed as part of the country’s COVID-19 containment measures.

Evans Nyachenga Nyaribo and Janet Kwamboka Omwenga were nabbed at Kismayu bar and restaurant within Mosobeti market in Nyamira where they work as attendants.

A police report seen by Citizen Digital indicated that the owner of the bar and clients who were at the entertainment joint managed to escape.

”The owner managed to escape with the bar documents. Also all the consumers managed to escape,” reads the report.

Alcohol from the bar was seized and kept as exhibit pending arraignment of the suspects who were detained at Keroka Police Station.

President Uhuru Kenyatta last month banned the sale of alcoholic drinks in all restaurants in the country and directed that all bars remain closed indefinitely to slow down the rising rate of COVID-19 transmission in the country.

Addressing the Nation on July 27, President Kenyatta said the government had noted with concern that people are socializing without regard to protective behavior in environments selling alcohol, posing one of the greatest risk factors in the country’s battle against the pandemic.

The President further directed Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai to withdraw all licences for bars found operating, adding that the withdrawals shall be permanent.