This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
On August 24-25, 2019, businesses in Kenya bore the brunt of the ongoing census as they closed in compliance with a government directive to allow citizens participate in the National Population and Housing Census 2019.
The directive, issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, ordered the closure of bars and other entertainment joints over the weekend to ensure that all people were at home for the exercise, which began on August 24 and will end on August 30.
Business owners on Sunday called on the government to allow those who had already participated in the exercise to open their premises, citing significant losses due to the closure.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers executive officer Sam Ikwaye lamented the directive, stating that 'business is usually up in the weekends. The government directive was misinformed as we suffered losses.'
Bars in various parts of the country, including Bamburi, Nyali, and Mtwapa, were closed by 7pm, while some businesses in Vihiga defied the directive, with County Commissioner Mrs Susan Waweru stating that defiance was witnessed at Chavakali and Shamakhokho.
Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (Abak) chairman Gordon Mutugi, however, said that as patriotic Kenyans, they complied to ensure the census was successful, stating that 'this directive was to tell Kenyans to drink responsibly and although it really inconveniences us, we take it lightly as responsible citizens.'
