Sakaja Imposes Immediate Ban On Clubs In Nairobi Estates

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja, has announced the immediate ban on all nightclubs operating in residential areas. 

In a statement signed by County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Jairus Musumba, Sakaja cancelled licenses issued to nightclubs operating in those areas as well as stopped renewals of the same.

"No nightclub licenses will be issued or renewed from premises operating within residential areas. Those already issued are hereby cancelled and the establishments may continue operating as bars and restaurants only.

"Henceforth, nightclub licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District (CBD) and specified streets in other non-residential areas," the statement on Friday, November 25 stated.

The first-time governor added that bars and restaurants in residential areas must operate within the specified time and control noise emanating from the premises. Specifically, the playing of music must stop by 10 pm.

"All liquor-selling premises in the County should provide sufficient parking for clientele. Vehicles causing obstruction along roads and footpaths shall be impounded," added the statement.

The directive was in response to complaints from the public on noise emanating from bars, restaurants, nightclubs and liquor-selling premises. 

The complaints took prominence when the Nairobi City County Council Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licencing Board targeted the closure of 43 clubs, among them Loft and Quiver Lounges as well as Memphis Restaurant all located along Thika Road.

However, their fate was spared by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) chairperson Richard Ngatia who bagged a deal with Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licencing Board to temporarily stop the directive from taking effect, which would have triggered a crisis in the entertainment sector.

He added that the temporary relief was necessary so that the clubs' owners can engage with Nairobi residents to come up with an operating model that would suit everyone.

"The board agreed not to close any bars till such dialogue has ensued," Ngatia, who had expressed interest in vying for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat under Azimio la Umoja Coalition in the August 9 polls, stated.

During the dialogue period, the businessman advised the entertainment joints to follow the stipulated guidelines regarding noise pollution in residential areas to the latter.

The standoff got the attention of prominent personalities such as Citizen TV anchor, Trevor Ombija, who suggested that landlords should soundproof their houses, though this led to a protracted battle between him and former model, Emma Too, over his restaurant.

Too, while speaking during a Twitter Spaces recently hosted by the Nation, said she intended to sue the owners of Samaki Samaki Seafood and Jazz in Kileleshwa, Nairobi over noise pollution.