Nairobi County Targets Matatu Noise Pollution with Self-Regulation Drive

Nairobi, Kenya – Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has urged matatu operators in the Central Business District (CBD) to rein in excessive noise and adopt more respectful practices toward neighbouring businesses and city residents. His appeal comes amid growing complaints about the impact of loud music and aggressive touting in the capital’s busiest transport hubs.

Emphasis on Self-Regulation

During a tour of the CBD this week, Mosiria stressed that the county government’s primary goal is not punishment but self-regulation within the matatu sector.

“We are not out to arrest anyone. Our focus is on cooperation,” he told operators. “But if certain individuals continue to ignore the law, enforcement action will follow.”

His remarks signal a measured approach that prioritises dialogue with transport stakeholders while keeping legal penalties on the table for persistent violators.

The Legal Framework

Mosiria reminded operators that the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), alongside the Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control Regulations of 2009, explicitly criminalises unnecessary and disruptive noise.

Under these provisions, matatus blasting music in the CBD or touts using aggressive shouting to attract passengers are considered offenders. Convictions carry fines or even imprisonment, though the county is banking on voluntary compliance first.

Practical Proposals for Operators

To address the problem without paralysing the matatu business model, Mosiria made several practical recommendations:

• Switch off loud music systems when operating within the CBD.

• Use placards and signboards rather than shouting to advertise routes and fares.

• Promote orderliness around stages to ease congestion and enhance the business environment.

The county believes these measures will balance the interests of commuters, operators, and businesses in Nairobi’s crowded city centre.

Wider Campaign on Urban Discipline

This directive follows Mosiria’s earlier campaign encouraging residents to report cases of vandalism of public dustbinsacross the city. The initiative is part of a broader push to instil discipline in the use of shared urban spaces and to hold citizens accountable for environmental degradation.

By targeting both everyday acts of vandalism and systemic challenges like noise pollution, Nairobi County hopes to improve the liveability of the CBD while supporting commerce and public transport.

Broader Implications

Noise pollution from matatus has long been a contentious issue in Nairobi, where the vibrant but chaotic public transport sector intersects with the formal economy. While many passengers enjoy the culture of loud “matatu music,” critics argue that unregulated noise disrupts offices, retail businesses, and learning institutions located within the CBD.

Mosiria’s directive seeks to strike a balance: preserving the matatu sector’s cultural identity while enforcing legal standards of environmental health and business respect.

Conclusion

The Nairobi County government’s call for matatu self-regulation on noise is a test case for collaborative urban governance. Should voluntary compliance fail, authorities will have little choice but to fall back on enforcement under national environmental laws.

For now, the message from City Hall is clear: operators must turn down the volume, and passengers should expect a quieter, more orderly experience in the heart of Nairobi.