Efforts by popular Nairobi clubs Kiza, B-Club, Space Lounge, and Grill and Explorers Tavern to reopen have suffered another blow following the latest court ruling.
The clubs were closed in 2019 after residents raised concerns over noise pollution in the area.
On Monday, appellate Court judges Hannah Okwengu, Gatembu Kairu, and Agnes Murgor rejected applications by B-Club and Kiza Restaurant and Lounge to temporarily stop the government's plan to revoke their licenses.
According to the bench, the case was still in court and an appeal filed was pending. If the court had ruled in favor of the clubs, they would have a green light to resume normal operations.
They added that they were not persuaded that the appeal would be rendered useless if the clubs' requests were not granted.
In August 2020, Space Lounge and Grill and Explorer's Taverns had appealed separately for reopening, but their bid was turned down.
The club owners lamented that they faced financial constraints resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and that reopening the businesses would boost the economy and provide employment to hundreds of people who were out of work.
They added that the clubs also faced permanent closure as they were unable to offset bills and manage the premises.
All clubs argued that the judges who ordered closures did not analyze the evidence and would have only directed them to reduce noise rather than be shut down.
