NEMA Orders 107 Entertainment Spots to Comply with Noise Pollution Rules

Mombasa, Kenya — September 22, 2025, 14:45 EAT.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a public compliance directive to 107 facilities — including clubs, lounges, bars, and restaurants — demanding immediate adherence to Kenya’s noise and vibration pollution laws or risk closure and penalties.

The Latest

In a notice dated September 8, 2025 and made public today, NEMA said the enforcement followed a surge in public complaints about excessive noise from entertainment venues in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, and other major towns.

The directive cites the Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) (Control) Regulations, 2009, which empower NEMA to issue Environmental Restoration Orders (EROs) against non-compliant facilities.

“Several facilities have been served with Environmental Restoration Orders requiring them to provide environmental compliance documents, but the majority have failed to comply,” the notice read.

NEMA warned that continued violations would trigger hefty fines, suspension of operations, or criminal prosecutionunder the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999.

Context in Brief

• Urbanisation & nightlife: Kenya’s rapid urban growth has fueled an entertainment boom but worsened noise conflicts with residential areas.

• Past enforcement: In 2023, NEMA shut down 34 clubs in Nairobi’s Kilimani area after residents filed lawsuits over noise pollution.

• Public health: The World Health Organization classifies noise above 55 decibels as harmful, linking chronic exposure to hearing loss, hypertension, and mental health disorders.

Law, Policy, and Process

• EMCA, 1999: Provides NEMA with authority over environmental protection nationwide.

• Noise Regulations, 2009:

  • Sets maximum permissible noise levels for residential, commercial, and industrial zones.

  • Requires entertainment joints to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and obtain licenses.

• Next steps: Facilities must submit compliance reports within 14 days or face enforcement action.

Voices and Stakeholders

• NEMA Director-General Mamo Boru Mamo: “This crackdown is about protecting public health and restoring order in urban areas. We will not hesitate to close defiant establishments.”

• Residents’ Associations: Groups from Kilimani, Nyali, and Westlands welcomed the move, citing sleepless nights and falling property values.

• Hospitality Sector: The Pubs, Entertainment, and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) urged dialogue, warning that mass closures could hurt tourism and employment.

Evidence & Data

• Number of facilities: 107 named in latest notice; 342 warnings issued in 2024.

• Noise complaints: Up 38% nationwide in the past two years, per NEMA call logs.

• Health impact: WHO estimates 1.6 million healthy life years lost annually in Europe to noise pollution; no Kenya-specific study yet.

Risks and Implications

• Short-term: Potential nightlife disruptions and legal battles from affected businesses.

• Medium-term: Stronger public health safeguards if enforcement succeeds.

• Long-term: Possible revision of noise regulations to balance nightlife economy and residential rights.

What We Don’t Know

• Which specific facilities top the list of offenders.

• Whether counties will introduce stricter zoning laws for entertainment spots.

• If NEMA will deploy noise-level monitoring technology in real time.

Timeline

• 2025-09-08: NEMA issues notice to 107 facilities.

• 2025-09-22: Notice made public; compliance deadline set for October 6, 2025.

• 2025-10-07: Expected start of inspections and possible shutdowns.

What to Watch

• Court challenges from hospitality associations.

• Nairobi City County’s response, given past clashes over nightclubs.

• Public health studies linking noise to mental health in Kenyan cities.

Editor’s Note: This story will be updated when NEMA publishes the full list of affected facilities and announces enforcement outcomes.