Kenyans reminisce as they mourn demolition of popular club that used to be the life of the city
Some people point to a more sinister plot by powerful government officials who are eyeing a piece of the prime property hence the demolition.
Popular Simmers restaurant was demolished hours after it was dramatically closed down on Friday for alleged noise pollution and its belongings thrown out in the rain.
The restaurant which is also known as 'Sinners Club' and known for its live Jazz band music and Nyama Choma (roast meat) is owned by the former Kimilili Member of Parliament Suleiman Murunga who has run the open - air beer garden for over 20 years alongside the former finance minister Arthur Magugu.
According to a local daily, Mr. Murunga is locked in a fight with the family of Mr. Magugu who says it co-owns the property with Nilestar Holding Limited.
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Others however point to a more sinister plot by powerful government officials who are eyeing a piece of the prime property hence the demolition.
The restaurant has also been facing problems with the county government over land areas.
Upon hearing news that Simmers was no more Kenyans took to social media to share fond memories of the club that used to be a landmark in the city.
“A lot of 'deals' in Nairobi are made in seedy bars. Simmers topped the list of these bars. If you wanted a good night out with a full rhumba experience, it was the place to be. It was the only bar that stood open even in the 2007 post election violence that made Nairobi a ghost town. Legend has it that simmers was the only bar to have its beer supply delivered straight from EABL factory, their daily order quantity was more than many distributors in town!” Roy Waite posted on Facebook.
Chei! I will miss the reveling @ Night Life, Congolese dancers etc " JJWangui posted on twitter.
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"I was there the night before the eviction. Simmers is best remembered for the place that Bikassy Bijos played his music. Also rhumba Japan. It was a good place for live band Lingala music. For this it attracted quite the night girls. To a point that the girls could be more than the men. There was a time it was a very dangerous place for the men. It was the home of spiked drinks. In fact it was so bad that it is said even the workers spiked patrons’ drinks. But it was still addictive enough, you just order for your drink at the counter, wipe it clean and open it with your own opener. It was also hunting ground for Congolese gigolos by older rich women” Andrew Owuor posted on Facebook.
Others wondered how they will maneuver the city now that their favourite land mark is no more.
Others noted with alarm that some of Nairobi oldest bars were being demolished or closed down in recent years.
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