Piece by: Maureen Waruinge

28 November 2022

• Mr Ruto has told Sakaja noise pollution must end

• A popular club along Langata road was among the first casualties

Efforts to end noise pollution from noisy establishments in estates and near schools have received the backing of President Ruto.

Ruto has on Monday November 28 assured Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja that he is fully behind him in the noise pollution interventions.

"Just to assure my young brother Sakaja of Nairobi that please keep the noise away from our children . You have our support .I know I have discussed with you this before and you have my support in ensuring that we reorganize the city, that we work for all those city residents and ensure that the standards of th city of Nairobi are the standards of the capital city. of Kenya "

Sakaja on Sunday November 27, flagged off vehicles and personnel to crackdown on establishments, days after a citywide notice to cease operations.

“Last call. No night clubs in residential areas,” he captioned the pictures.

A popular club along Langata road was among the first casualties, with revelers being asked to leave as a contingent of officers manned the joint.

Ruto also addressed the matter of the clean up of Nairobi River.

"We will shortly in fact by this Friday we will be appointing Nairobi river s commission, to sort out the filth in our rivers , if you look at our rivers in Nairobi it is a sad story and I want to assure the residents of Nairobi as I do the rest of the country that we will make Nairobi River what it used to be - a place that p[people can enjoy a place where enterprises can grow and we will get rid of the sewage"

On Friday last week, the city council revoked all licenses for night clubs and liquor stores within residential areas.

The governor also directed that no other licenses be issued or renewed for operators of such businesses in the city’s estates.

“Those already issued [with licenses] are hereby cancelled and the establishments may continue operating as bar and restaurants,” said Jairus Musumba, the head of county public service.

“Henceforth, nightclub licenses will be issued to premises only within the central business district and specified streets in other non-residential areas,” he added.

Kilileshwa MCA Robert Alai has also been at the forefront in calling for action against noisy establishments.

In October, Alai vowed to have them shut.

"Let’s all work to save Nairobi. People losing their sanity and even developing physical disability because of the noise and vibration pollution." he wrote on Twitter October 2.

In a letter to the Liquor Licensing department of City Hall, dated October 1, 2022, the MCA said residents, through the Kileleshwa Ward Neighbourhood Association (Kiwana) informed him that they had unsuccessfully petitioned Nairobi City County to act on the establishments on several occasions.

"Your prompt action will be appreciated as the clubs look like they are above every known law," Alai said.