Nairobi County has shut down The Orchid Lounge and Grill on Ngong Road following numerous complaints over noise pollution and failure to comply with previous notices.
While conducting a night raid after repeated complaints from residents around the club, Nairobi County Chief Officer of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria ordered the facility closed until it complies with the issued notices.
According to Mosiria, the facility will remain closed until the owners comply and install proper soundproofing.
"Following persistent noise pollution complaints from area residents and the club's failure to comply with previously issued notices, we officially closed Club Orchid along Ngong Road. The closure will remain in effect until the establishment installs proper soundproofing measures to ensure it operates within the required environmental and public health standards," Mosiria noted.
According to the Chief Officer of Environment, the county's aim is not to shut down entertainment joints but to ensure their compliance with county regulations.
"Our goal is not to close the businesses. Our goal is for those who can soundproof to do so, to save the neighbours from noise. And also, we will support them with experts who will be able to guide them on how they will do soundproofing," the county officer continued.
The move comes barely three days after the county shut down the popular Habanos Lounge located along Kiambu Road over the same issue.
While sending a staunch warning to city club owners, the Chief Officer for Environment revealed that the county will continue with the operation to ensure all entertainment joints around residential areas are compliant and follow the law.
The county leadership revealed that they have received numerous complaints from city dwellers around different areas, including Karen, Westlands, Donholm, Kasarani, and Roysambu, over noise pollution by these clubs.
"I want to emphasise that we will continue with these operations. All those who have a bar in Nairobi, or a bar and restaurant, or a nightclub that is in a residential area, we will come," the officer warned.
Apart from the county, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has previously emphasised the need for entertainment joints to control noise pollution or risk closure.
NEMA has been at the forefront of cracking down on such establishments, particularly those located at the heart of residential areas.
