Nairobi County Threatens Closure Of Popular Ngong Road Nightclub In 3 Days
Nairobi's Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, stated that the threat of closure follows noise complaints raised on Tuesday night
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Orchid Lounge, located along Ngong Road in Nairobi, faces potential shutdown within the next 72 hours, according to a warning from the Nairobi County government.
Nairobi's Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, stated that the threat of closure follows noise complaints raised on Tuesday night, April 29.
Mosiria noted that the lounge had already received formal notices and warnings regarding noise levels and other regulatory issues, but has continued to ignore compliance requirements.
"Last night at midnight, we responded to a noise pollution complaint involving Orchid Lounge, which has been operating as a nightclub without the required nightclub licence," Mosiria shared.
A section of the completed Ngong Road expansion. /NAIROBI NEWS
"Despite previously being served with written notices and verbal warnings, the establishment has failed to comply with directives, including the requirement to install soundproofing to minimise disturbance to nearby residents."
As a result, the county's environment department has issued a letter to the lounge's management, giving them 72 hours to explain why the establishment shouldn't be shut down.
"As a result, we issued a Notice of Intended Closure, giving them 72 hours to provide a satisfactory explanation for their continued non-compliance. Failure to do so will lead to further enforcement action, including the issuance of a closure order," Mosiria confirmed.
Mosiria issued a warning to all establishments flouting regulations in residential neighbourhoods, stating that the government will crack down on them.
He also disclosed that the Nairobi County government has already identified specific zones where nightclubs are breaching local bylaws.
"This action not only applies to Orchid Lounge but to all other establishments operating with impunity in residential areas and causing sleepless nights for city residents. We have already zoned specific areas, hotspot areas that we shall be visiting to take action," he added.
On April 16, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) closed Habanos Lounge after receiving complaints about the club’s operations. In a statement, NEMA announced that it had issued a closure order to the popular spot for failing to follow noise control regulations.
NEMA pointed to the club’s repeated failure to follow previous noise reduction orders, despite multiple warnings and attempts to engage.
"NEMA yesterday issued a Closure Order to Habanos Lounge, located along Northern Bypass, following persistent noise complaints from neighbours and failure by the club to adhere to previous orders to control noise pollution. The orders are to take effect immediately," NEMA said in its statement.
The shutdown also followed public pressure from Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy, who, on April 5, criticised the club, saying nearby residents had to take drastic steps to deal with the noise.
Some of the affected homes reportedly had to install soundproofing just to cope.
Revellers at a nightclub in Nairobi. /CNN
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