Tensions are high at Nakuru’s Top Market, after a Nile Perch supplier, John* was assaulted on Sunday in one of the Wines and Spirits shop at the market.

It is this incident that has brought to the surface the issue of having drinking joints around the market.

According to the market’s chairperson, Joseph Thuo, having liquor stores around the market has been a very controversial topic for the last 15 years.

Top market chairperson, Joseph Thuo during an interview on August 6, 2024.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

"These stalls were first put up during the administration of the first Governor Kinuthia Mbugua. At the time, we were really against it but they were put up anyway,” he recalls.

"The second Governor Lee Kinyanjui had plans to streamline the businesses in an organized manner. The current Governor, Susan Kihika, through the County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura gave a directive that all these liquor stores be removed. However, that directive was not fulfilled.”

Babu Njoroge the Chairman of liquor stores in Biashara ward admits that indeed there was a challenge when the stalls were initially put up.

Babu Njoroge the Chairman of liquor stores in Biashara ward during an interview on August 6, 2024.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

He says, "When these stalls were put up there were no regulation and therefore the lack of rules made whoever wanted to set up a stall and sell liquor do so without clear instructions of how they would go about it."

He continues, "The total number of liquor stores that were in various bus terminus in Nakuru East were adding up to 78 but after sitting down with the current county administration and putting in stringent measures and regulations of how they would go about their business we were able to reduce the number to 17."

Mr. Joseph Thuo, however insists that the liquor stores in the area have given the market a bad reputation over time.

"After taking alcohol, you will find, there are those who engage in sexual activity along the corridors of the pathways leading to and from the market. This of course creates a bad image to our establishment and would potentially chase away customers," he says angrily.

Mr. Njoroge on his part insists that the liquor stores run legal businesses which are licensed and that they are selling quality assured alcoholic beverages.

"Within the town centre there are very many different characters. Such incidences of immoral behaviour, being unfortunate, should not be directly linked to the businesses that are being operated in this area" he adds.

As for the top market chairperson, he still insists that the drinking joints should be removed because they are causing more harm than good.

Liquor stores around Top market breed 'bad manners'

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Bret Sanya