Nakuru Milimani residents sue golf club, nightclub over noise pollution

A view of  a section of Nakuru town from Milimani Estate. [File, Standard]

Mounting complaints over sleepless nights in Nakuru’s affluent Milimani estate have escalated into a full-blown legal battle, with residents accusing Nakuru Golf Club and a nightclub of violating noise regulation laws.

Milimani, long known for its tranquillity and low-density residential character, is now at the centre of growing tensions between its traditional serenity and Nakuru’s expanding nightlife scene.

Two suits have been filed at the Environment and Land Court in Nakuru, with residents claiming their constitutional rights to peace, dignity, and a clean and healthy environment have been repeatedly infringed by loud music from nearby entertainment establishments.

In the latest case, a family has sued the Trustees of the Nakuru Golf Club, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the County Government of Nakuru, accusing authorities of regulatory failures and negligence.

Represented by lawyer Fred Ratemo, the family cite a struggle with alleged noise from an event hosted at the Golf Club grounds, which border their home.

According to the petition, on November 22, 2025, the family hosted a small social event at their Milimani home. Barely an hour into the gathering, the neighbouring club began a loud event using “amplified artificial sound systems.”

The family says the vibrations and noise rendered their home “uninhabitable,” forcing guests to leave by 4pm. The event, they claim, continued until 6am.

Noise levels recorded using a phone sound meter app reportedly showed readings of 71 dB-A at 10:27 pm, 69 dB-A at 1:05 am, and 83 dB-A at 2:12 am, figures the petition says exceed permissible limits for residential areas at night.

They accuse NEMA and the county government of licensing and permitting the activities without enforcing compliance, thereby “abdicating their statutory duty to protect the environment.”

The family wants the court to stop the club from hosting events that produce harmful noise levels and compel NEMA and the county to enforce noise regulations. Justice Millicent Odeny directed the respondents to file their responses in seven days.

In another suit, Milimani residents want the court to halt operations of an entertainment joint within the estate. Through lawyer Mark Githiru, the petitioners have sued Jade Hekima Lawn Limited and Nakuru County Government, accusing them of noise pollution and public nuisance.

Officials of the Nakuru Milimani Residents Organisation argue that the county unlawfully issued a trade permit to the operators without mandatory public participation.

“The residents of Nakuru Milimani Estate have for decades enjoyed serene and peaceful surroundings within the residential area until the 1st Respondent (Jade Hekima Lawn Limited) set up an entertainment and alcoholic-selling establishment within the residential estate,” the suit reads in part.

The petition states that the county government unprocedurally issued a trade permit without consulting neighbouring households.

Residents say the establishment, licensed in early 2025, converted a residential house into a “mega entertainment joint” that hosts DJs, live performers, parties and late-night events. They add that it aggressively advertises its shows on social media and occasionally stages fireworks during festivities.

They argue that the resultant noise deprives them of sleep and violates their rights to property, dignity and a clean and healthy environment. Parents claim children and elderly residents have been particularly affected.

Residents further note that Jade Hekima Lawn sits close to Kenya Medical Training College, Nakuru Level 5 Provincial General Hospital and Nakuru Cancer Hospice, institutions where noise is said to disrupt learning and affect patients.

They accuse the establishment of exposing minors within the estate to obscene music, vulgar language and indecent behaviour from revellers, and say increased human and vehicular traffic frequently blocks access lanes and residents’ gates.

The petitioners claim the county has failed to enforce zoning laws, control noise pollution or regulate liquor licensing as required under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution and the Nakuru County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Act, 2014, which bars licensing of alcohol outlets in designated residential areas.

Demand notices issued to the bar and complaints lodged with the county are said to have gone unanswered.

Residents now want the court to declare their rights violated, nullify the licence issued to Jade Hekima Lawn, and rule that the county abdicated its mandate to regulate alcohol outlets and public nuisances.

They are also seeking cancellation of the bar’s trade and liquor licences, orders barring renewal of such permits without public participation, compensation for violation of their rights, and directions to the OCS Kaptembwo Police Station to enforce court orders.