Mathira’s economy takes a beating on closure of barsResidents’ pain over the closure of alcohol outlets in Mathira perfectly depicts the law of unintended consequences, which posits that actions and decisions, especially by the government, can have adverse and unforeseen results. Small business people such as boda boda operators and vendors of street foods are reeling from the four-months-long closure of entertainment joints in the DP’s backyard, which, incidentally, is the only region that has effected a total moratorium on the alcohol business. About 400 bar owners have now petitioned the national government to allow them reopen their businesses, saying, the closure had negatively impacted the local economy. “Although we are supporting the government in its fight against illicit liquor, the blanket closure of bars has badly affected our business,” Mathira Boda Boda Association Chairman Benjamin Mwangi told the Nation. Echoing her views were many other small-scale traders, who called on the government to allow licensed establishments to reopen.

Source: Daily Nation June 13, 2024 09:39 UTC