Religious leaders put on notice over noise pollution

The County Directorate of Environment and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have directed religious leaders to adopt self-regulation as a measure against excessive noise during worship.

The agreement was reached during a stakeholders meeting following increasing complaints from the general public about the noise issue.

Speaking during the consultative meeting with the stakeholders, the Chief Officer for Water Services, Environment, and Mineral Resources Moses Natome said the complaints had increased phenomenally after the lifting of the Covid-19 nationwide dusk to dawn curfew.

“We have noted an increased number of small churches that are generating noise pollution during the fellowship. We have convened a meeting with religious leaders to discuss and find a sustainable solution to this noise menace,” Natome said.

Natome lauded the strong leadership of the clergy in Turkana and called for their cooperation in weeding out rogue elements in the sector.  

“The County will identify and train various noise emitters on the provisions of the law in respect to noise control regulations by deploying environment officers to undertake the duty,” he said.

Area NEMA Director Jacob Asembo said such meetings will also reach out to club and disco owners especially during this festive season when noise control regulations are at a greater risk of being abused.

Director Environment Clement Nadio said that the County had already deployed calibrated noise meters for the purpose of arresting the perpetrators.

“At least eight cases had so far been prosecuted. We have also lauded the clergy for allowing self-regulation as an alternative measure of noise control in Turkana, Nadio revealed.

Bishop Samuel Kaaleng of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and a representative of the clergy leadership reiterated their readiness to abide by the noise regulations provisions and said that it was being implemented globally and Turkana was not exceptional.

James Lourien, Chair of the Lodwar Pastors Fellowship assured the County of internal action against perpetrators once his office is fed with specific cases.