CAPTION: Quiver and Whisky River Lounge along Thika Road, Nairobi The menace of noisy clubs has become a big issue for many residents in various Nairobi estates. Most will recall that back in 2020, the Court of Appeal ordered the shut down of 4 clubs in Kilimani to protect the public. These clubs included Kiza Lounge, B club, Space Lounge and Explorer Tavern. Despite the existence of strong laws and regulations to control the creation of noise pollution by nightclubs and public bars, most do not seem to care as they have police protection.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) as well as the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) who share the mandate to regulate the mess have proven to be toothless.
At best, all they do is ping pong with the public complainants and also just ignore complaints. CAPTION: Recent notice from the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) on compliance with noise and excessive vibrations regulations Many members of the public and resident associations have raised numerous complaints but to no avail.
NEMA, County Government, the Police and the Provincial Administration and NMS do not take action at all.
On the contrary, they have chosen to become a problem that also needs fixing.
The most notorious include Quiver Lounge along Thika Road, Whiskey River and other two clubs located behind Mountain Mall along Thika Road.
The whole of Kasarani and Eastlands are lit with noisy clubs where police are known to regularly pick bribes for protecting the businesses at the expense of the public.
Neighbours affected by both Loft Club and Clarett Lounge have on numerous occasions complained to all relevant authorities and everybody who matters in the power chain but no action has been taken.
These clubs keep playing very loud and booming music during the day in their car parking lot and at night which is extremely disturbing.
Some residents have sick relatives and old people whose situations worsen by the noise.
Those who work from home suffer long hours of noise and vibrations to the extent they can barely concentrate on work, leave alone hold online meetings.
The club owners seem to enjoy the protection of some powerful officials at the Interior Ministry.
A petition has been made to Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang'i and the President to personally take stern action and reign on the rogue entertainment joints. "Police by command report to the main guys at OOP whose relatives and business partners allegedly operate some of these clubs. NMS and the Nairobi County Department of Environment officials appear compromised or are so scared to death of losing their jobs. NEMA is an impervious fortress of impunity. Nobody cares here. When we speak to the owners they ignore us and increase volume. When we do letters to the authorities they don't respond," it reads in part.