This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
As the national population and housing census gets underway, Kenyans have taken to social media to express their frustration with the order by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i to close bars from 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The census, which began on August 24-25, has been met with mixed reactions, with many Kenyans questioning the need to close bars during the weekend.
Dr. Matiang'i had justified the move, saying that Kenyans have to preserve as a form of sacrifice for the country since a population census is only conducted once in 10 years.
However, many Kenyans have taken to social media to express their displeasure with the move, with some even joking about watching the Arsenal vs. Liverpool match in Uganda to avoid the closure.
"Mr. Matiangi on Saturday Liverpool will be playing Arsenal. That match is bigger than Kenyan government and the census itself….if you don't allow us watch that game in clubs and go home by 9pm. Then we won't open our doors for ur people #census2019," tweeted @WycliffeIam on August 21, 2019.
"Right now I’m traveling to Uganda reason being, I’m going to watch #LIVARS Matiangi should know that we have options and that Game is much bigger than #census2019," tweeted @Mr_Shabbs on August 22, 2019.
"I did statistics but was not even shortlisted to be an enumerator,someone who did catering got the job. But that is not as painful as telling me, a Liverpool fan, to sit down and wait for that enumerator to count me on Saturday, while #LIVARS is Playing! Matiangi? #census2019," tweeted @realPeterOtieno on August 22, 2019.
Dr. Matiang'i had also said that bars would open at 2 pm, allowing people to have a drink until 5 pm when they close.
However, Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has termed the move as "unwarranted, unjustifiable and punitive to business people and to lovers and admirers of booze."
