Alchemist club resumes operations after racism puzzle
Alchemist club has announced it’s resumed operations after a difficult week in which its operating licence was revoked owing to claims of racism.
The entertainment joint based in Westlands, Nairobi, that it will host a live band on Thursday.
We feature amazing live bands and artists every Thursday for #LiveAtTheAlchemist. This Thursday we feature the Prince of Rhumbacane – @itsyabaa! pic.twitter.com/69bQvi1kJ5
— The Alchemist Bar (@AlchemistBar254) June 6, 2022
The announcement comes days after Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu suspended the trading license of the entertainment joint amid allegations of racial discrimination and noise pollution.
Kananu also disclosed that a number of officials will be questioned in relation to the claims.
The revocation of licence came after a public uproar following a viral video depicting blacks and European reportedly lining up to join the entertainment joints in different queues.
In rebuttal, the club first apologized to the public before retreating and denying claims of racism.
“To anyone who has felt aggrieved we sincerely apologize and look forward to sitting down together and addressing these issues head on,” part of their apology read.
While denying claims of racism, the club explained that there was only one main entrance to the venue where all customers who are entering for the first time must go through.
“The line is composed of people of all different backgrounds. We have never had a policy of segregating lines,” they said.
In a related move, the club has since issued a statement indicating one Emmanuel Murgor, the individual who took and shared the video, acknowledged he had misled the public.
“We met with Emmanuel and his advocate to discuss the incident. He has acknowledged the clip shared was misleading to the public and was not representative of what happened that evening and what we stand for,” the club said in the statement.
Additionally, the bar said it would not press any charges against Murgor, in as much as his allegations had grossly affected their business operations.