Kirinyaga alcohol traders decry harassment over licenses

By , K24 Digital
On Fri, 17 Sep, 2021 16:55 | < 1 min read
Kirinyaga County Bar Owners Association chairman Antony Muceke.

Kirinyaga County Bar Owners Association has raised concern over harassment of liquor traders over unpaid business licenses.

The association's chairman Antony Muceke says there was still an active court case that ordered the traders not to pay for the licenses until September 28 when the matter will be heard and determined.

"Before then, no county employee should demand for this year's license since there is a court order in place until our case is heard and determined," Muceke said.

Addressing the press at Kutus in Mwea, Muceke accused the said employees of continuously invading the premises of the association members.

"At times the said employees end up confiscating liquor and other soft drinks which they neither store in their wares nor surrender to county government or take to the police station where the affected members could be charged, "the official claimed.

The official has however asked Governor Anne Waiguru to agree to an out of court settlement since no licenses had been paid since 2019 when the dispute arose.

The traders went to court opposing the alleged hiked licenses by the county government without their input.

They are also seeking a single license instead of the six they are required to pay at a go.