Nairobi County officials have arrested several operators of illegal liquor stores in Dagoretti following claims that they hired goons to attack government officers enforcing compliance.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nairobi Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria said officers from the Liquor Licensing Board, in collaboration with the police, conducted the operation after repeated warnings to the businesses went unheeded.
“The people in this area have complained that they don’t want liquor stores here, especially as the neighborhood has many children and is largely residential,” Mosiria said.
Mosiria noted that residents had repeatedly reported excessive noise from the establishments. During a previous raid, the store owner allegedly mobilized goons who confronted officers and destroyed their vehicles. The supervisor of the store is expected to be arraigned in court soon.
The closure reflects Nairobi County’s ongoing crackdown on businesses that fail to comply with environmental regulations, particularly regarding noise and waste management.
Just a day before the liquor store closure, Mosiria issued a stern warning to landlords permitting illegal waste burning on their premises. This followed an incident where a security guard was caught burning waste in a residential compound, posing health risks to residents.
“Smoke entering people’s houses is hazardous, especially for children and individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma,” Mosiria said. He added that evidence indicated the burning had occurred multiple times, as confirmed by the dry ash around the area.
Under the Nairobi County Air Quality Act of 2021, illegal waste burning carries penalties of at least Ksh 500,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
The recent actions signal the county government’s commitment to enforcing environmental standards and protecting residents’ health and safety, while sending a clear message to businesses operating illegally.
