Nairobi’s nightlife and 24-hour economy have changed over the years, and a Facebook post by Francis Gaitho gives one view of how and why this happened.
In his post, Gaitho says the shift did not come from an accident or the COVID period. He argues that it was a planned process shaped by rural thinking, strong religious pressure, and the use of money from certain regions to influence how the city worked at night.
Gaitho explains that around 2014, former President Uhuru Kenyatta wanted Nairobi to reflect the quiet life of Gatundu, where he grew up. According to the post, Kenyatta did not support a lively city culture and worked with governors from North Eastern region who had access to large funds through devolution.
Gaitho claims this led to police roadblocks across the city, mainly targeting alcohol use. Drivers were stopped often, and people walking after 7 pm were arrested on claims of loitering.
These actions, he says, made movement in the city center difficult at night. Businesses that depended on evening and night activity started losing customers.
Many closed down, including well known hotels such as the Intercontinental, Hilton, Grand Regency, and 680 Hotel, along with many smaller businesses.
Gaitho notes that this happened before COVID restrictions, which he believes shows that a form of hidden curfew already existed.
The post also points to the role of religious leaders. Gaitho says church leaders were invited to State House and encouraged to speak against alcohol and nightlife. Bars, wine shops, and clubs were shut down quickly, often without following proper procedures. This, he argues, was done in the name of morals rather than fairness or care for livelihoods.
As nightlife spaces closed, new businesses moved in. Gaitho says many former entertainment spots were replaced by simple restaurants, changing the feel of the city.
He claims the night economy once supported more than 200,000 jobs, including workers in hotels, clubs, transport, and security. When these places closed, many people lost their source of income.
Gaitho criticizes Kenyatta for not creating alternative jobs or showing concern for those affected. He describes the actions as driven by personal views rather than broad leadership. He wraps up by urging Kenyans not to forget what happened and to seek accountability for the losses.
