Ken Wa Maria Arrested In Crackdown On Nairobi Bars

Popular musician Ken Wa Maria was among 50 revellers arrested by police officers who carried out a raid on nightclubs in Nairobi's Eastlands area on Saturday night, January 14.

The raid targeted entertainment joints located in Donholm, Pipeline, Fedha and North Airport road which were operating without licences and those operating beyond the time indicated in those licences.

Speaking to the media, Rhoda Otieno, director of Liquor Licensing, confirmed that the officers had arrested the revellers and would be arraigned in court on Monday, January 16.

A police car in Nairobi CBD. /TWITTER.SARAH KIMANI

"We have arrested quite a number of people who will be arraigned in court on Monday to face various charges according to the offences they have been arrested for. We want to urge bar owners, people who operate bar businesses, to operate within the law," she stated.

Otieno further noted that the operation was meant to ensure that the directive by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to prevent entertainment joints in residential areas from playing loud music past 10.00 pm was enforced.

"Actually it is about peaceful nights. We are going to make sure Nairobi people have peaceful nights," she added.

A section of online users believed that Ken Wa Maria's performance at a local club in Embakasi was interrupted by police officers, leading to rumours regarding his arrest.

Sakaja in November 2022 cancelled licenses issued to nightclubs operating in residential areas as well as stopped renewals of the same.

The first-time governor added that bars and restaurants in residential areas must operate within the specified time and control noise emanating from the premises. Specifically, the playing of music must stop by 10 pm.

The operation received recognition from President William Ruto who was in support of the move as a way of ensuring that Nairobi upholds the standards of a capital city.

"To Governor Sakaja, keep the noise away from our children. You have our support in ensuring that we reorganize the city. Ensure that the Standards of Nairobi are the Standards of the Capital City of Kenya," the President said.

“I know I have discussed with you this before and you have my support in ensuring we reorganise the city and make it work for all the residents."