The National Chairman of the Pubs, Entertainment, and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) Michael Muthami now claims that there is no difference between Governor Johnson Sakaja’s order to close nightclubs in Nairobi’s residential areas and the 2020 COVID-19 curfew.
Muthami estimates that 400-500 establishments will be affected, with thirty to seventy permanent employees losing their jobs per establishment.
According to PERAK’s estimates, the closure would result in the loss of over 23000 jobs.
He claims that the figures represent a large number of casual labourers, as well as other industries that rely on the entertainment industry and are now facing job losses.
“There is no difference between this order and the night curfew, as a matter of fact, this should be called Sakaja’s curfew,” Muthami told local media.
“This will affect so many people including permanent and casual laborers who will lose their jobs, it will also affect watu wa smokie, supermarkets, Mutura people, and even commercial sex workers,” he added.
Muthami stated that the order was unexpected because all stakeholders, including the Bar Owners Association and the Residents’ Association, had been in discussions with Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri about resolving the issue.
“Is it that Sakaja doesn’t trust his deputy? Where did this directive come from?” Muthami posed.
According to Muthami, the new directive is also a slap in the face to Nairobi’s 24-hour economy, which is fueled largely by the entertainment industry.
“This is goodbye to the 24-hour economy. But is he going to stop the keshas which go past 3 am? We would want to know, is the Nairobi Festival which is coming up, going to follow the same rules?” Muthami posed.
