Sakaja Responds After MCA's Overturn Directive on Night Clubs

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Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja speaking during Jamuhuri Festival on Monday, December 12, 2022.
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Sakaja

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja maintained his stand over the closure of night clubs in residential estates within the city.

In a statement dated Saturday, December 24, the governor explained that there was a need to create order within the county given the numerous complaints that had been raised by residents over noise pollution.

Sakaja was responding after Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) adopted a report to overturn the governor's earlier directive.

However, he did not indicate whether he would seek audience with the lawmakers and Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK) over the same.

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Armed police officers at the Nairobi CBD on Sunday, November 27.
The Standard

"There will be sanity in our neighbourhoods. There is no turning back from that," read the statement in part.

Sakaja's response also got a boost after a section of MCA's led by Kileleshwa representative, Robert Alai, supported the closure of the night clubs.

"Family space will be protected and I am so proud of Governor Sakaja for standing strong against intimidation and blackmail. 

"It was sneaked in but know that we won't give up," he stated.

In a report by the County Assembly, the lawmakers had directed the police and the county askaris popularly known as Kanjos not to effect the governor's orders.

The MCAs noted that several businesses had struggled with the directive including the ones that were compliant.

Consequently, the club owners were directed to soundproof their entertainment joints before January 1, 2024.

Additionally, they were also asked to craft guidelines dealing with insufficient parking spaces and rowdiness from revellers.

Sakaja ordered the closure of night clubs in residential areas on November 25.

Photo collage between revellers in Clarret Lounge in Nairobi and a DJ
Photo collage between revellers in Clarret Lounge in Nairobi and a DJ
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Clarret Lounge