- The National Environment Management Authority said it intended to tighten its monitoring of clubs that operate in residential areas
- Authority steps in following complaints from residents
Some patrons spent part of their weekend at the Kilimani Police Station after they were arrested at B-Club during a crackdown.
The revellers were bundled into police vehicles during an operation by officials from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).
It was the second raid this week. Nema officials last Thursday raided Jiweke Tavern, The B Club, and Kiza and Space Lounge to inspect their sound proofing systems.
Numerous complaints
The raid came after two of the clubs were shut down by the Nairobi City County, which said it had received numerous complaints from the residents of the areas they are located.
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The operation almost turned ugly at several joints after revellers confronted the Nema officials, claiming their rights were being infringed. At Jiweke Tavern, located off Ngong Road, the revellers were angered by the impromptu operation.
Court order
“The officials did not inform us about the court order. This is outrageous,” said an angry reveller who was captured on camera during the raid.
The Nairobi City Director of Environment, Wangui Mukiri, said the clubs should cooperate and have their places sound proofed.
“We did not think that the clubs would be operational,” said Mukiri.
She added that more enforcement officers would be needed during such operations because of the resistance encountered.
A lot of resistance
“What we have seen is that there is a lot of resistance, especially from Jiweke, and it is a wake-up call for us that we may have to get more officers to escort us during these operations,” said the official.
The party came to an abrupt end when the operation was extended to the popular B-Club in Kilimani. Several people, among them performers and revellers, were arrested.
Served with notice
Sources said the management of Space Lounge and Grill, also located along Ngong Road, heard about the raids and closed the club before the authority’s official arrived.
Nema has said it intends to tighten the monitoring of clubs in residential areas.
The clubs were served with notices of closure following complaints from the residents over noise and vibrations.
In a letter dated January 10, Nema Director General Geoffrey Wahungu said the authority had received numerous complaints over noise and vibrations.
“The authority has received numerous complaints over noise from members of the public caused by loud music from your facility that interferes with their comfort, health and safety contrary to the provisions of Environmental Management and Coordination and the Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control regulations of 2009,” read the letter.
Running battles
There have been running battles between Kilimani residents and some of the clubs over noise since 2015.
The residents also accused the clubs’ patrons of inappropriate sexual behaviour in their cars and outside the club premises.
