Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has directed county enforcement officers to stop unnecessary night raids on bars and entertainment establishments, following complaints from business owners about harassment and disruption.
The directive was announced on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during a meeting between Nairobi County officials and representatives of the liquor and entertainment industry at City Hall.
Under the new approach, DJs should not be arrested and sound equipment should not be confiscated during raids over noise complaints that can be handled through established procedures.
Sakaja said complaints involving noise pollution and public nuisance should be properly documented, with enforcement action directed at the establishment's owner where necessary.
The governor also announced plans to publish a list of authorised county inspection officers across Nairobi's 17 sub-counties. Business owners have been advised to verify officers' identities and ask to see official identification before allowing inspections.
The changes are intended to address complaints about rogue officers and individuals allegedly posing as county inspectors to intimidate business operators.
Another key issue discussed was taxation. The county has opened a 14-day consultation period with entertainment industry stakeholders to discuss concerns surrounding entertainment and event taxes introduced under the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026.
The discussions are expected to give business operators and county officials an opportunity to examine the disputed charges and agree on a way forward.
The county has also encouraged liquor businesses to use its LiquorPay digital platform for licence applications and payments.
The new directives do not remove businesses' responsibility to follow licensing requirements, noise regulations and other applicable laws. Instead, they are intended to make inspections more coordinated and ensure complaints are handled through proper procedures.
For Nairobi's entertainment businesses, the outcome of the 14-day tax discussions could be just as important as the changes to enforcement.
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