This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
On August 3, the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers CEO Michael Macharia wrote to the Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala seeking clarification on the sale of alcohol in hotels, as most establishments had included it in their re-opening packages.
Just two days later, on August 4, Balala responded with a circular stating that alcohol could be served in private rooms, but not in public areas within hotels.
The directive was a response to the government's earlier ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks in restaurants and eateries, which was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on July 27.
The ban, which was intended to slow down the rising rate of Covid-19 transmission, had been a significant blow to restaurants, hotels, and bar owners who had complied with Ministry rules to resume operations.
However, with the easing of the ban, hotels can now sell alcohol to their clients in private rooms, providing a much-needed lifeline to the industry.
