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Worshippers at Full Gospel Church in Glucola estate, Ruaraka, were stunned when Wilfred Odhiambo unexpectedly pulled out a knife and threatened to stab their pastor.
The intruder was incensed that the pastor and his flock were about to start making noise, disturbing the peace on an otherwise serene morning when he needed to rest after a whole week of hustle and bustle.
Odhiambo demanded Sh300 from the pastor as an ‘atonement’. This was on November 16, 2016. The congregation subdued the 22-year-old handing him over to police.
He was arraigned at a Makadara court. Odhiambo was accused of creating disturbance – a charge he denied before being released on a Sh 20,000 cash bail.
Fast forward. After the bizarre incident that drew wide condemnation even among atheists and pagans, thousands of city residents suffer in silence over the intrusion of privacy by churches emitting noise in the name of preaching the gospel.
Loud preaching and music are normal practices in churches, some competing for new followers. It was first started by gospel churches before conservative churches like the Quakers, Catholics, Presbyterians, Adventists and Anglicans joined the trend, popular among youthful worships.
Church sessions are livened with musical instruments like tambourines, pianos guitars, cymbals, violins and trumpets. The crescendo is when preaching and songs are amplified through powerful speakers.
Opinion is divided on whether the loud noise amounts to pollution. But what is clear as outlined by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) there is maximum permissible noise levels in silent zones, places of worship, residential (indoor and outdoor), mixed residential (commercial and places of entertainment) and commercial zones.
In the cases of churches, noise above 55 decibels during the day and 45 at night is deemed noise pollution.
Sound pressure is measured in decibels (dB). Some people with good hearing can hear sounds down to -15 dB. If sound reaches 85 dB or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to hearing.
Sometimes hearing loss is attributed to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) caused by exposure to loud sound as well as by repeated exposure to sounds at various loudness levels over an extended period of time.
Many churches while conducting normal day services and night vigils (kesha) usually go above the set limits. The unwritten rule world-over, is never to question spiritual outreach activities, no matter the negative impact they have on society.
“It is almost taboo to criticise the church, many people including me dare not face the church head-on due to fear of being ostracised. But the truth of the matter people are suffering, the level of noise is intolerable,” says James Kangwana, a staunch SDA member and chairman, Kenya Tenants Union.
In Kenya, many churches take advantage of the freedom of worship to knowingly or unknowingly infringe on the rights of believers and non-believers.
Apart from the desire for the gospel to reach many, the intention of loud preaching and music is to attract many members.
National of Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) secretary general Rev. Canon Peter Karanja says the issue of noise pollution is a weighty one, requiring a sober discourse without biased thoughts of those who believe it is not noise against persons thinking it is public nuisance.
“This is a serious matter with genuine concerns that need to be addressed by all stakeholders at the national and community level. Freedom of worship is enshrined in the Constitution, but there is a thin a line between worshipping and public nuisance… the balance is very delicate. Freedom of worship however, must be respected and protected,” observed Karanja.
For Reverend Ndura Waruinge, there is no shame in making noise while spreading the gospel. The former Mungiki leader cautions Christians to be mindful of the privacy of non-members when worshipping at the top of their voices.
“For the sake of evangelism, we will continue making noise because it is biblical that you shout for the Lord to defeat the devil,” says the Crusader for Christ (CFC) leader.
Ken Kariuki, a pastor in one of the evangelical churches in Pipeline, warns people against fighting the church in the name of eradicating noise. Like Ndura, the cleric argues that the word of the Lord can never be noisy unless those complaining are filled by evil spirits.
“It is wrong for people to claim that the sermon and hymn songs from the church are disturbing their peace. It is sacrilegious to say the least,” he observes.
Home is the only place one can seek comfort and peace of mind after a busy day. But to many city residents, homes become inhabitable due to the level of noise from churches with intensity peaking at night and during the weekend.
“Not everyone wants to be preached to, it is a choice and we are all different in our persuasions. Some people are atheists preferring to relax in peace. We know where to go to when we need spiritual nourishment, don’t infringe on our rights by forcing religion on us,” complains Jackson.
As a result of the noise, he argues, school going children do not have a conducive environment for study and sleep. Some churches with a handful of members direct horn speakers away from congregations.
Faith Mwikali, a mother of a six-month-old baby who lives behind one of the churches in Kayole told The Nairobian that she is forced to abandon her house every Sunday due to the explosive noise emanating from the church loud music and public address system.
“I am forced to go to my friend’s place in Umoja almost every Sunday to find a peaceful play for my baby,” the distraught lady said.
A directive in 2016 by then County Executive Committee (CEC) in charge of environment Engineer Peter Kimori to churches to buy dosimeters was ignored. While decrying shortage of the noise meters to control excessive noise, Kimori threatened to launch a crackdown that never happened, against non-compliant churches.
“The churches in the city and residential places will have to buy their own noise dosimeters to detect on when they are making noise. We will be doing a crackdown (sic),” said Kimori.
City Hall does not have sufficient dosimeters to monitor noise pollution in residential areas like Kaloleni, Mbotela, Jericho, Buruburu, Umoja, Kariobangi, Dandora, Saika, Komarock, Savana, Donholme, Tarssia, Pipeline, Imara Daima, Utawala, Mihang’o, Mwiki, Kahawa West, Roysambu, Githurai, Kibra, Wanyee, Satellite, Waithaka, Kawangware and Kangemi where churches are many. Anf so is the high number of dwellers.
According to Lameck Osiako, his office frequently handles disputes related to noise pollution. Most of the complaints come from landlords who lose tenants unable to tolerate noise from adjacent churches.
“The situation is really frustrating especially when houses are vacated or can’t attract tenants. Even though everybody wants spiritual nourishment, there should be a limit to the level of sound. Some churches are simply trying to impose their doctrine on everybody without minding their persuasions,” says the secretary of Peace Building and Conflict Management Committee, Njiru sub-county.
John Kamau, chairman, environment and natural resources committee, says a Bill that will lead to the acquisition of dosimeters is in its final stage of preparation. “In couple of weeks, we are likely to have the gadgets,” says the Komarock MCA.
According to Jeremiah Karani, a member of the environment committee, officials at City Hall are in a dilemma on how to approach the matter due to a potential backlash from the church.
“That matter is a hot potato, nobody is willing to put their head on the block. You risk losing political support by tampering with church activities,” said the civic leader.
Henry Ochieng, chief executive officer, Kenya Alliance of Residential Associations (Kara) says in conjunction with City Hall, they have been trying to come up with a framework on how to deal with the matter without appearing to antagonise the church.
“We are looking into a sustainable solution, noise pollution is indeed a serious issue in many estates where helpless residents keep complaining as churches and bars go loud on preaching and music,” says Ochieng.
Environment CEC Larry Wambua says action is taken immediately complaints reach his desk. He asked residents to channel their grievances through mobile number 0728-322636 or email [email protected].
“Let them volunteer details for immediate action. Notices are issued and enforcement is done as soon as complaints reach the office. Let them be channeled through those addresses and we will deal with the offending churches,” assures the county boss.
Ochieng however claims City Hall hardly responds to resident’s grumbling saying: “The problem is that people report but follow-ups are never conducted”.
In Mihang’o, residents have expressed their frustrations at the church, tirelessly accusing preachers of holding noisy night ‘keshas’ that deprive them privacy and uninterrupted sleep.
Some link frequent criminal incidences in the area to the noise. “Distress calls do not reach response teams due to the constant noise at night,” complained a resident.
Mihang’o Resident Association chairman, Jonah Marpash, says they are unable to control the noise and that residents do not know where to report. “There is too much noise, it is high time enforcement on zoning is done. We don’t need churches and mosques in residential court,” he adds.
