A Nairobi resident sued Nairobi governor, Johnson Sakaja, for ordering all nightclubs in residential areas to be closed.
In a petition filed at the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, December 7, the petitioner directed the court to halt the directive noting it will affect thousands of city dwellers.
According to the petitioner, the industry generated about Ksh390 million directly and at least Ksh1.6 billion indirectly every month.
“The decision of the County Government of Nairobi to shut down bars, restaurants, and night clubs when it is engaging them to develop a workable framework that permanently resolves the problem contravenes the provisions of Article 10 of the Constitution (public participation),” he argued.
Furthermore, he noted that the issued directive may drag the capital into the pandemic era when businesses only incurred losses.
Additionally, the petitioner lamented that property worth millions is destroyed when police officers close nightclubs.
He also provided solutions to the county government to deal with noise pollution without resulting in shutting down businesses.
In addition, the resident sued the Nairobi city county alcoholic drinks control and licensing board, the county secretary, and the county government.
The Inspector General, Pub Entertainment & Restaurant Association of Kenya, and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) were listed as interested parties.
Sakaja announced the ban on nightclubs in residential areas on November 25 adding, "Bars and restaurants in residential areas must operate within the specified time and control noise emanating from their premises."
Following his directive, several nightclubs in the city were closed down. He also put 43 clubs on notice.
Notably, the county governor and other respondents had not issued a statement by the time of publishing.
