A High Court in Kisumu has intervened by suspending Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki’s directive to close bars as part of the government’s efforts to combat illicit brew in the country. The court’s ruling, issued pending a full hearing on the matter, effectively halts Kindiki’s order.

The decision came after the Kisumu Bar Owners Association challenged CS Kindiki’s directive in court. The association sought legal recourse against the closure of bars, particularly those situated near residential areas and schools.

Interior CS Kindiki had issued the directive on March 6, calling for the closure of bars operating in proximity to residential areas and educational institutions. Additionally, he mandated the closure of bars owned by civil servants, citing a conflict of interest.

In Kirinyaga County, 114 bars owned by county and national government officials were closed following the directive. County Commissioner Hussein Allasow Hussein emphasized that these bars would not be allowed to reopen, despite attempts by some owners to transfer ownership to third parties.

The closure of these bars is part of a broader government crackdown on illicit alcohol trade, with over 400 bars shuttered across the country. As part of the enforcement, public officers who own or operate bars have been instructed to either close them down or resign from their positions.