Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to launch a major crackdown in Nairobi.
In a statement via his official X account on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Duale stated that the operation would be conducted by NEMA’s Nairobi office.
According to Duale, the crackdown that will be conducted in a multi-agency operation will be headed by the NEMA police unit and will target pollution by noise from night clubs, nighttime construction, improper waste disposal and air quality.
Duale further stated that NEMA will not permit clubs in residential areas unless they fully comply with soundproofing and environmental laws.
“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 stated.
“The multi-agency operation, led by NEMA Police Unit, marks the beginning of a nationwide anti-pollution campaign. Going forward, NEMA will not permit clubs in residential areas unless they fully comply with soundproofing and environmental laws. The era of impunity by club owners and private developers must end.”
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.
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) October 22, 2024
The multi-agency operation, led by NEMA Police Unit, marks the beginning of a nationwide anti-pollution… pic.twitter.com/EqxiYr1yLL
Club closed
Duale’s directive comes just two days after he ordered the closure of Fay’s Bistro, a night club in Kilimani, Nairobi County following public outrage over noise pollution.
In a statement published on Sunday evening, October 20, 2024, Duale attributed the immediate closure of the noisy club to noise violations and disturbance of the residents.
Additionally, the CS said that the NEMA Director General, accompanied by the NEMA Police unit is on the site to oversee the closure.
“I have ordered the immediate closure of Fay’s Bistro club in Kilimani, Nairobi, for noise violations. The NEMA Director General, accompanied by the NEMA Police unit, is on-site to enforce the closure,” Duale revealed.
“With immediate effect, the closure order is hereby issued to operations at your restaurant that prohibits offering entertainment activities including playing Dire hands and amplified music within your business at an existing complex mali. With immediate effect seize the operations of any fourth of most and/or any form of entertainment from your restaurant.”
Duale went ahead to reveal that even after the club’s management was issued a warning twice by the government agency about the excessive noise following numerous complaints from the general public, they went ahead and violated the regulation.
