Nairobi's Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, has launched a crackdown on shops playing loud music in the Central Business District (CBD).
Taking to his official channels, Mosiria stated that the move was a result of the disruptive nature of this loud music that, he claimed, derailed operations in other establishments.
"We have initiated a crackdown on shops within the Central Business District (CBD) that are playing loud music. The noise pollution from these establishments has made it difficult for other business owners to operate effectively, with some even reporting health complications, including mental health issues," Mosiria stated.
According to the chief officer, there were other institutions, like schools and crucial offices in the CBD, whose operations were disrupted by this noise pollution.
"Maintaining a conducive environment is therefore essential for both business operations and the well-being of all occupants in the area," he declared.
In a video accompanying the statement, Mosiria was seen engaging with a manager of a phone shop playing loud music on speakers at 8am.
In the ensuing confrontation, he explained to the manager that it was unlawful to do so and threatened to arrest him.
However, Mosiria issued a last warning to the manager but ordered for the loudspeakers to be confiscated following complaints by neighbouring shop owners.
This fresh crackdown is in line with plans by the Nairobi County government to restore order in the capital's CBD.
On February 14, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) vowed to continue a crackdown on establishments notorious for noise pollution, including clubs, churches, and also companies.
In the notice, the authority threatened to prosecute establishments that have undergone an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), a process that ensures that potential environmental impacts of proposed projects are identified and mitigated before implementation.
“Any facility reported by the public for causing noise pollution will attract enforcement action from NEMA and be compelled to; immediately stop any operations that support or generate noise pollution and undertake an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) with adequate public participation,” said NEMA Director of Compliance, Dr Ayub Macharia.
“If the facility has an EIA license, it will attract prosecution for violation of the EIA license conditions regarding noise pollution.”
