All Bars, Lodgings In Kisumu To Be Closed Ahead Of Elections

He added that the order would help cut down on residents consuming too much alcohol...

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Aug 4, 2022 - 16:33 Updated: Aug 4, 2022 - 16:44
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All Bars, Lodgings In Kisumu To Be Closed Ahead Of Elections
A bar in Kenya. / FILE

The Kisumu County government has announced that all bars, nightclubs, lodgings, and markets will be closed starting midnight August 8 to 5 pm August 9.

Acting Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga directed the closure on Thursday, August 4 to encourage residents to turn up and vote in the August 9 general elections.

He added that the order would help cut down on residents consuming too much alcohol and failing to wake up on the morning of election day to vote.

An aerial image of Kisumu. /FILE

“On August 8, we are going to close all bars, clubs, shops, markets, and lodgings as early as midnight and all activities stopped except the Boda Boda riders who will be allowed to ferry voters to the polling stations,” Wanga said.

He added that the county government had their best interests at heart and would not force them to vote.

“This is only for a day. We are not going to harass you but pleading with the business community to understand and adhere.

"We will only allow those with ink on their finger to enjoy these services later in the day,” he added.

Kisumu Bar Owners Association Chairman Daniel Maneno Ouma, was advised by the official to ensure that the directive was in force.

“We had consulted with the city manager and we will ensure that we close in time and monitor clients who have no ink on their finger. They will not be admitted to the bar,” he said.

The directive came after Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, declared Tuesday, August 9 a public holiday.

"It is notified for information to the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, pursuant to and in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (4) of the Public Holidays Act, read together with Articles 101 (1), 177 (1) (a) and 180 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, declares Tuesday, 9th August 2022, as a public holiday," read the Gazette Notice in part.

"This will afford the people of Kenya the opportunity to participate in the 2022 general elections of Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies and County Governors, and the President."

A Kenyan casting their vote in the 2017 general elections. /FILE