NEMA Shuts Down Popular Kiambu Road Nightclub After Itumbi Complaints
NEMA pointed to the club’s repeated failure to follow previous noise reduction orders, despite multiple warnings and attempts to engage.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has closed Habanos Lounge after receiving complaints about the club’s operations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 16, 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.
A signpost showing Habanos Lounge along Kiambu Road. /NAIROBI LEO
Habanos Lounge, located near the intersection of Kiambu Road and the Northern Bypass, sits close to upscale residential areas—an arrangement that triggered growing complaints about excessive noise.
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.
“Dear HABANOS, please install Soundproof and copy your neighbour’s BND. The children & families as far off as Ridgeways live as if they are inside your club. An old lady told me she has had to invest in soundproofing her house because of the noise. Please,” Itumbi highlighted on X.
NEMA has been leading the charge against noisy entertainment venues, especially those operating within residential neighbourhoods. It is not just entertainment venues, the authority has been keen on cracking down on noisy churches.
On December 24, 2024, NEMA put nightclubs and religious institutions, including churches, operating within residential areas, on the spot over noise pollution during the festive season, stating that it continued to receive numerous incidences of noise pollution from clubs and religious establishments located within residential areas, affirming that the Constitution of Kenya under Article 42 gives the right to a safe and healthy environment to all citizens.
The Noise and Excessive Vibration - Pollution Control Regulations of 2009 prohibit the use of sound-amplifying equipment in a loud, annoying or offensive manner that interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of members of the public.
NEMA thus asserted that noise pollution will not be tolerated during the Christmas festive season and any other time thereafter.
The authority went on to announce that any facility reported by the public for causing noise pollution will attract enforcement action from NEMA and be compelled to;
- Immediately stop any operations that support or generate noise pollution.
- Undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with adequate public participation.
- If the facility has an EIA license, it will attract prosecution for violation of the EIA license conditions regarding noise pollution.
"NEMA inspectors will continue to monitor facilities at any time to ensure compliance with the best environmental standards," added the authority.
NEMA went on to request that members of the public report any facilities creating noise pollution using the NEMA hotline numbers 0741 101 100 or 0786 101 100.
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