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Nairobi County government, Environment department in partnership with NEMA,on April 6th raided and closed Oyster Bay Restaurant in Kilimani, Nairobi over noise pollution.
The City askaris, who were accompanied by a contingent of heavily armed police officers, raided the Oyster Bay Ltd Restaurant in Kilimani after receiving complaints of extreme noise pollution from the joint by area residents.
The askaris stormed the club a few minutes to 9pm and took over the joint that was just about to roar to life- its usual bust of heavy music blasting from neatly arranged speakers all over the building.
Bottles of alcohol was seen on the tables as shouts of anger were also heard from those ordered to leave the club.
In a closure order seen by Topnewskenya.co.ke, NEMA through its Director General Mamo B Mamo cited that there have been numerous complaints from the residents of Kilimani over loud music played at the joint mostly late night hours.
Chief officer Environment, Nairobi County Ibrahim Otieno told journalists that as a county they will not allow any form of noise pollution in the residential areas,and those caught will face the law.
“This issue of noise pollution there will be no debate about it,its either you comply or shut down your business, we will allow our people to do business, but within the law,”Mr Ibrahim said.
On his part,Director Environment Nairobi County John Malawi warned that no club in residential areas will be allowed to operate without following due process and abide by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s bylaws on how to do business in the city.
“Will not allow any form of Impunity to thrive in this city,we are sending warning to those imagining of Impunity over loud music in such residential areas when operating such a business, will come and close it until you comply,”Mr Malawi said.
The raid comes months after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced a crackdown on noisy nightclubs and restaurants operating in residential areas in the city.
In a notice on November 25, 2022, Sakaja banned nightclubs from operating in residential areas following numerous complaints from the public on noise emanating from bars, restaurants, nightclubs and liquor-selling premises.
The governor stated that no nightclub licenses will be issued to premises operating in residential areas and added that licenses would only be issued to clubs within the Central Business District (CBD) and specified streets.
