Eleven bouncers employed at the Kettle House Bar and Grill in Nairobi faced assault charges on Wednesday, while a warrant of arrest was issued for 10 other employees who were absent during the court proceedings.
The 11 individuals present, comprising 10 bouncers (eight men and two women) and one manager, pleaded not guilty to seven charges.
The charges included three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, three counts of assault in the execution of duty, and selling shisha.
The defense for the manager requested lenient bond terms, highlighting that the manager faced only one charge of selling shisha in violation of Rule 4 of the Public Health Rules and the Public Health Act. The prosecution did not oppose this request.
The court granted the bouncers a cash bail of Sh30,000 each, with an alternative of Sh100,000 bond with a similar surety. The manager was released on a cash bail of Sh10,000.
The next court appearance for the accused is scheduled for January 24, for a mention.
The charges stem from an incident on January 5, where journalists, accompanied by police and NACADA (National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse) personnel, were attacked during a raid on the bar.
The raid was conducted to apprehend club managers and patrons allegedly smoking shisha, which is banned in Kenya.
Shisha, also known as hookah, has been banned in Kenya since 2017. The comprehensive ban covers its use, import, manufacture, sale, promotion, and distribution. Violators face fines starting at Sh50,000 or a minimum jail term of six months.
Kenya joined neighboring East African countries Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda in prohibiting the use of shisha. NACADA stated that they would continue such exercises in other establishments.
The government implemented the comprehensive ban on shisha on December 27, 2017, covering advertising, promotion, distribution, and encouragement or facilitation of its use. Offenders are liable to penalties provided for in section 163 of the Act.
