CS Duale orders nationwide crackdown on pollution including noisy night clubs

Cabinet Secretary for Environment Aden Duale has ordered a nationwide crackdown on pollution, focusing on excessive noise from clubs, nighttime construction, improper waste disposal, and air quality issues.

This initiative, as said by the CS on Tuesday, marks the beginning of an anti-pollution campaign spearheaded by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in collaboration with the NEMA Police Unit.

"I have directed NEMA's Nairobi office to launch a major crackdown on pollution, targeting noise from clubs, nighttime construction, improper waste disposal, and air quality," Duale announced.

The multi-agency operation aims to enforce stricter regulations across the country.

As part of this effort, CS Duale pointed out that clubs located in residential areas will no longer be allowed to operate unless they adhere to soundproofing and environmental laws.

"The era of impunity by club owners and private developers must end," he said.

On Sunday, the CS ordered popular Nairobi nightclub Fay's Bistro and Lounge to be closed over noise pollution.

According to NEMA, the pub located along Ring Road in Kilimani has on several occasions been served with notices about noise complaints from members of the public.

The government agency said its officers have also inspected the pub over the complaints but it has not complied.

"With immediate effect, the closure order is hereby issued to operations at your restaurant that prohibits offering entertainment activities including playing live bands and amplified music within your business at an existing complex mall," NEMA Director General Mamo Mamo said in a letter to one Fayruz Abdi, named as the pub's director.

"With immediate effect, seize the operations of any form of music and/or any form of entertainment from your restaurant," reads the letter.

Nairobi County Chief Officer in Charge of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria has been having a relentless drive to rid residential areas of noise pollution.

Mosiria said he will not relent, and the crackdown will go on until the county succeeds in its bid to reduce noise pollution in the county.

In March this year, City Hall outlined specific areas within the city approved for the establishment of nightclubs and pubs.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the licencing of nightclubs will be confined to zones identified as commercial areas with limited residential developments.

Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale speaks at a past function. (Photo: Aden Duale)

He also indicated that the businesses will be guided by specific published regulations and principles.

The listed locations include areas within the Central Business District (CBD), Industrial Area, shopping malls, Westlands area, Upperhill, Ngara, Karen and major roads.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 55 1 (A-H) of the Nairobi City County Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, and all other enabling provisions of the laws, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Physical Planning in concurrence with the Governor.

Nairobi City County gazettes the enlisted as commercial areas for operationalisation of nightclubs, with effect from March 15, 2024," the notice read in part.

In CBD, areas approved for clubs include Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, University Way, Koinange Street, Nairobi River, Haile Selassie, Uhuru Highway, River Road and Harry Thuku Road.

However, operations are allowed under the condition that the establishment captures the boundaries within the CBD, inclusive of lanes, and subject to the laid down conditions for the license to be issued.

In the Industrial Area, Sakaja approved the establishment of nightclubs along Landhies Road, Factory Street, Workshop Road, Bunyala Road, Uhuru Highway, Commercial Street, Enterprise Road, Lunga Lunga Road, Makadara Railway, Viwandani, Enterprise Road, Aoko Road, Nairobi River, Outering Road, Dandora Industrial Zone, Kariobangi Industrial Zone, and Mathare North Industrial Zone.

For shopping malls, proprietors must install soundproof materials and get approvals from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

In the Westlands, nightclubs will be established along Chiromo Rd., Crossway, Muthithi Road, Mpesi Lane, Mogotio Road, Parklands Road, Ring Road, and Ojijo Road.

Approved locations in Ngara are along Muranga Road, Ring Road, Nairobi River, and Limuru Road.

Uperhill: Upperhill Link Road, Hospital Road, Elgon Road, Matumbato Road, Kiambere Road, Railway Line.

Pangani Area: Thika Road, Muratina Street, Kipande Athumani Street, Mweni Road, Hombe Road, and Ring Road Ngara.

In Karen, clubs will operate along Ngong Road, Karen Road, and Langata Road. However, the clubs should only be set within the shopping centre.