Medium Liquor Traders Association (MELTA) is warning that the industry risks losing revenue due to what it terms as bad politics.
The association has contested recent remarks by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua that musicians from Central Kenya who visited Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s Karen residence should be shunned and their music subsequently abhorred by bar owners.
“As an organization that represents core interests of liquor traders and customers, we find such a statement from a politician of Gachagua’s stature distasteful, callous and unwarranted at a time like this when our businesses are at their lowest ebb,” said Frank Mbogo, MELTA Chairman.
The association is urging the government to consider having a meeting of all stake holders in both the liquor trade and entertainment industry to chart industry’s way forward.
“Such an engagement will help streamline thorny issues affecting both industries considering their vital contribution to the country’s GDP and job creation,” he added.
Mbogo said such hostile comments risk reversing economic gains the country has achieved.
“Constitution is explicit on the freedom of association which also applies to our creatives. Musicians in Kenya cannot be deprived of their space, just because one wants to score political points,” he noted.
