Uncertainty as City Hall blocked from forming new liquor board

 

The Employment and Labour Relations court has blocked City Hall from constituting a new Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board and sub-county liquor committees, dealing a blow to investors eyeing permits to operate businesses in the city.

The new development now means no new bars, and wines and spirits outlets will be licensed to operate within the city until the determination of the case.

Issuing the conservatory orders, Justice Mathew Nduma Nderi ordered that the appointments be stayed pending hearing and determination of a case filed by two Nairobi residents.

The two petitioners, Erick Kiongora Murigu and Stephen Mwangi, accused former Nairobi acting Governor and Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura of breaching the contracts of the board members who were in office at the time he issued the notice.

“It is hereby ordered that pending the inter partes hearing and determination of this Application and Petition, conservatory orders be and are hereby issued suspending Gazette Notice No.86 of 12th January, 2021 announcing that the 2nd Respondent has appointed members of Nairobi City Sub-County Alcoholic Drinks and Licensing Committees,” read in part the court order. Mr Murigu and Mr Mwangi argued that their pleas to have due process followed in the appointments fell on deaf ears. They urged Justice Nderi to stay the implementation of the Gazette Notice.

In his ruling, Justice Nderi said the two traders had established they have an arguable case directing the two petitioners to serve all the respondents with the suit papers within 14 days.

"Having heard the two petitioners, Kiongora and Mwangi I am satisfied they have a meritorious case and their rights to access justice will be prejudiced if the gazette notice is implemented. It is hereby suspended pending the hearing and determination of the suit by the two petitioners," ruled Justice Nderi.

Consequently, all the parties in the case will file written submissions then appear before the judge on March 22, 2021 to get directions on the judgment date.

The Nairobi County Government, Mr Mutura, and the County chief officer for commerce and indutrialisation have been listed as respondents in the petition.

Last month, Mr Mutura sent the entire members of the previous board packing with only one previous member of the board, Rosalid Nyawira Gichuki surviving the purge.