Karen Residents Push for Closure of Betty Kyalo's Exclusive Restaurant

Ex-KTN journalist Betty Kyallo at The Summer House Restaurant
Ex-KTN journalist Betty Kyallo at The Summer House Restaurant
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Betty Kyallo

Residents in Karen under the Karen Lang'ata District Association called for the closure of the media personality Betty Kyallo's restaurant, The Summer House, over alleged noise pollution.

In a letter dated Friday, November 25, addressed to Nairobi governor, Johnson Sakaja, the association accused the former K24 journalist of bypassing city laws before setting up the high-end restaurant.

"The county government should move with speed and close the restaurant and withdraw any approvals or licenses issued to the owner," 'chairperson Silalteh Samora demanded.  

"It has caused unprecedented noise pollution by playing loud music at night, causing inconvenience and discomfort to those who live near it," he added. 

A collage of Betty Kyallo's restaurant, The Summer House, in Karen
A collage of Betty Kyallo's restaurant, The Summer House, in Karen
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Betty Kyallo

In addition, the association complained that the management did not publish a notice in any newspaper to notify members of the public of the venture. 

"There was no public participation before the establishment of the entertainment joint that has hosted some notable names in the entertainment industry like Nigerian hitmaker, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, alias Patoranking.

"There is no change of user of the property from residential to commercial by either the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) or the county government," he argued.

Kenyans.co.ke reached out to the media personality, but efforts were futile. Kyalo had not responded by the time of publishing this article.

The demands by Karen residents came hours after Sakaja banned nightclubs from operating in the residential areas on Friday, November 25.

"Henceforth, nightclub licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District and specified streets in other non-residential areas," Sakaja declared.

In October 2022, Citizen TV's Trevor Ombija defended his restaurant over rampant noise complaints from Kileleshwa residents. Ombija's joint was accused of circumventing by-laws. 

"There are genuine complaints that must be addressed but there are also malicious accusations that must be called out," Ombija stated. 

Citizen TV anchor Trevor Ombija on February 14, 2020
Citizen TV anchor Trevor Ombija on February 14, 2020.
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