Nairobi MCAs Overturn Sakaja's Closure Order on Night Clubs in Nairobi Estates

Sakaja
A photo collage of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and a Disc Jockey(DJ) at an event.
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Selectah Kerry, Johnson Sakaja

Nairobi County Assembly on Friday, December 23, adopted a report that overturned Governor Johnson Sakaja's order on the closure of nightclubs in the city's residential estates.

In the report, the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) noted that the order had affected a number of businesses including those that were compliant.

The lawmakers explained that their decision was based on complaints that had been lodged at the assembly by the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK).

MCAs indicated that the order could only take effect once outstanding issues between club owners and the county government had been sorted out.

File photo of revellers at a nightclub in Nairobi.
A photo of revelers on the dancefloor at a nightclub in Nairobi.
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Key among them was the determination of areas legally constituted as residential and those that are not.

“The County Executive Department of Urban Planning should come up with a clear definition of a residential area and commercial area," read the report in part.

However, the club owners were also directed to sort out issues regarding parking and rowdiness in the entertainment areas.

In this regard, they were given one month to draft guidelines to govern the sector.

On the other hand, they were also asked to soundproof the entertainment joints within the next year.

Sakaja is yet to issue a response over the matter.

Previously the governor maintained that the order would be enforced even as he urged club owners to make investments within the Central Business District (CBD).

“Bars and restaurants in residential areas must operate within the specified time and control noise emanating from their premises. Specifically, playing of music must stop by 10pm," he stated.

The closure of nightclubs in estates was effected on November 25.

An aerial view of a section of Nairobi County.
An aerial view of a section of Nairobi County.
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