The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) on Thursday, April 6, closed down Oyster Bay restaurant in Nairobi Kilimani estate following complaints from residents.
In a notice, NEMA indicated that the facility had interfered with residents' comfort, health and safety by playing loud music contrary to the guidelines prescribed by the authority.
"There have been numerous complaints of noise pollution from the residents of Kilimani, where you are located, caused by extremely loud music from your facility that interferes with their comfort, repose health and safety.
"This is contrary to the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA). 1999, Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control) Regulations, 2009," NEMA stated.
Further, the authority accused the facility's owner of commencing operations without submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment report project.
It alleged that it operated without a required licence approving that it aligned with all the requirements.
Besides operating with a licence, NEMA alleged that the facility had failed to implement remedial actions as directed, thus prompting the latest closure orders.
"As the principal agency of government mandated to ensure a clean and healthy environment, the Authority hereby orders you to immediately cease operations of this facility to avert further harm to members of the public until you demonstrate to the Authority that you have complied with the provisions of EMCA, 1999 and the Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control) Regulations, 2009," NEMA stated.
43 Nightclubs closure saga
On November 25, 2022, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja cancelled the licences of nightclubs in residential areas.
The operation targeted over 43 bars and restaurants in Nairobi estates such as Kilimani, Lavington, Donholm, Buruburu, Roysambu and Kasarani.
"Henceforth night club licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District and specified streets in other non-residential areas," the Nairobi County government stated after the closure.
Following the orders, a lawyer moved to court challenging Sakaja's decision. In a suit filed by Kevine Otieno Ondago, he argued that the order had affected over 1,300 workers in the sector.
Further, he noted that the owners would lose Ksh390 million per month due to the operation.
The petitioner further stated that the order had affected other small-scale traders supplying various products to the bars and restaurants.
