This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
On Monday, October 28, 2019, the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi issued a landmark ruling that brought relief to residents of the once-affluent Kilimani neighborhood.
Judge Loice Komingoi directed the Nairobi County Government to enforce closure notices against B Club, Kiza Restaurant, Space Lounge, and Explorers Tavern over noise pollution.
The court's decision was in response to a lawsuit filed by Kilimani residents through the Kilimani Project Foundation, who alleged that the four clubs were violating their right to a clean and healthy environment.
The residents claimed that the clubs played loud music daily, hosted rowdy patrons, and exposed children to immoral behavior, thereby depriving them of sleep and security.
“Some of the negative effects from the said establishments are littering by patrons, obstruction of motor vehicles by patrons, exposure to immoral and indecent behaviour by the patrons inside their vehicles, property prices being driven down as a result of all those activities and loss of income by some residents,” the Kilimani Project Foundation submitted.
Judge Komingoi ruled that the continued operation of the four businesses in the residential area was a violation of the residents' rights to life and a clean and healthy environment.
The court also declared that the permits and licenses issued to the four clubs by the Nairobi County Government were unlawful and illegal.
