Piece by: MAUREEN KINYANJUI

02 December 2022

• On Thursday, he said that the religious bodies will not face closure over noise pollution but will be required to abide by the law.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called on churches and mosques to be considerate of the level of sound coming from the buildings.

Speaking on Friday, the governor said his administration will hold a discussion with the religious institutions on how law and order will be maintained.

“We are asking churches and mosques to be considerate, and we will have a discussion with them. There will be order,” Sakaja said.

On Thursday, he said that the religious bodies will not face closure over noise pollution but will be required to abide by the law.

"I will not close the churches. We want them to spread the gospel on obeying rules and regulations,” Sakaja said.

"However, I will initiate talks with them because we must be reasonable and accommodate each other in the city,” he added.

Members of the public had raised concern over noisy churches that also disturb the peace of residents just like the nightclubs do.

However, a number of nightclubs were not so lucky after Sakaja banned the from operating in residential areas.

He issued an order banning nightclubs from operating in residential areas following complaints from the public over noise pollution, even as he directed that clubs located near residential areas need to stop playing music by 10 pm.

“Playing of music must stop by 10 pm and all the liquor outlets provide parking space for their clients because we will impound vehicles causing obstruction along roads and footpaths,” Sakaja said.

Speaking on the issue, the Governor said they had discussions with nightclub owners before shutting them

"Even with the nightclubs, we didn’t start by shutting them down. We spoke to them over time, and they agreed to comply but some ignored. Then we took action," Sakaja said.