Residents of Membley Estate in Ruiru, Kiambu County, are locked in a dispute with two entertainment joints which they accuse of causing noise pollution by playing loud music within a residential neighbourhood, making the area unbearable to live in.
The residents, through their umbrella organisations, told the Daily Nation that they have written to all relevant authorities seeking intervention but their efforts are unsuccessful.
On June 20, 2025, Membley Daykio Residents wrote to the Kiambu County Assembly complaining about Outvest Address Bar and The Plant House Bar and Restaurant located along the Eastern Bypass in Gitothua Ward.
“These establishments have consistently been playing extremely loud music often extending into the early hours of the morning. The noise pollution travels across a significant radius of up to 500 metres causing grave disturbance to residents in what is otherwise a designated residential zone. The volume and duration of the noise have become intolerable and disruptive to the normal functioning of the community,” reads a letter dated June 30, 2025, written by Mr J. Wagai, chairman of the lobby.
The letter further notes that the activities of the establishments violate the Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control) Regulations, 2009, which prohibit noise beyond prescribed limits in residential areas, 50 decibels during the day and 35 at night.
The complaint was addressed to the Clerk of the Kiambu County Assembly and copied to Governor Kimani Wamatangi and the County Director of Environment. Residents urged the county to enforce stricter noise regulations, particularly for commercial premises operating adjacent to residential areas.
On Saturday, Kiambu Environment Executive David Kuria told the Daily Nation that he was not aware of the complaint and promised to act after the newspaper forwarded the correspondence to him.
“All these correspondences have never reached my office. I am the CEC for Environment. I will take it up,” Mr Kuria said via text message.
Noise pollution allegations
The letters also called on authorities to investigate the noise pollution allegations and summon the proprietors of the establishments to explain their non-compliance. Although the county promised action, residents say no intervention has been forthcoming.
On July 2, 2025, the organisation again wrote to the Ruiru Sub-county administrator, the environmental officer and the deputy county commissioner seeking prompt enforcement action, verification of licences and regulatory approvals.
However, they say no response was received, despite confirmation that the letters had been received. Unrelenting, on September 19, 2025, the residents wrote to National Environment Management Authority (Nema) Director General Dr Mamo Boru Mamo requesting urgent intervention.
They attached photographic evidence showing that the two establishments operate within a residential area. The community says no action has been taken by Nema since then.
On Sunday, Dr Mamo told the Daily Nation that he had instructed his enforcement team to liaise with Kiambu County officials noting that noise pollution enforcement is largely a devolved function.
“I have instructed my enforcement team to visit the area with the county team because noise pollution is a devolved function to the counties, so that appropriate corrective action can be taken as soon as possible,” said Dr Mamo.
Membley Estate, a cosmopolitan neighbourhood, has recently witnessed growing tensions between residents and private developers as well as entertainment joint owners.
Early last year, another group of homeowners under the Membley Park Residents Association (MEPRA) successfully opposed the establishment of an asphalt and concrete plant in the area by Austrian multinational Strabag International citing health concerns over production materials and by-products.
In March last year, the Environment and Land Court ruled that possession of a licence to operate does not provide a complete defence against noise pollution claims.
Justice Addraya Dena held that a licence does not grant operators immunity from ensuring their activities comply with permissible noise levels.
She made the decision in a case where Alliance Development Ltd trading as Safari Beach Hotel, was found to have violated the right of Sunlodges Kenya Ltd, which operates Ocean Villa Club, to a clean and healthy environment through noise pollution.
Meanwhile, residents argue that enforcement of regulations in the bar and entertainment business remains weak, with allegations that some operators pay rogue police officers and county officials to continue operating without proper licences, to the detriment of local communities in residential areas.
