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Nema stops construction at Coptic Hospital over noise at night
Coptic Hospital in Nairobi on March 3, 2026. Residents of the hospital's neigbourhood have raised complaints over noise pollution at night from a construction site within the hospital.
What you need to know:
- The regulator halted the project after residents living next to the hospital raised alarm over persistent night-time construction.
- Residents under the Century Gardens Management Company Limited said the activities had disrupted families for weeks.
The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has ordered the closure of a construction site at Coptic Hospital following complaints that the developer had been carrying out noisy works at night in violation of environmental regulations.
The regulator halted the project after residents living next to the hospital along Kindaruma Road raised alarm over persistent night-time construction involving heavy machinery, including excavators, drilling equipment and metal works.
On Tuesday, officials from Nema visited the construction site at Coptic Hospital to enforce the closure order and ensure the developer complied with environmental and noise pollution regulations. The inspection followed complaints from neighbouring residents about persistent night-time construction activities.
“We have barred construction activities due to the complaints. They claimed they have a permit but they would not display it,” a Nema inspection officer who is not authorised to speak to media said at the inspection site.
Residents under the Century Gardens Management Company Limited said the activities had disrupted families for weeks, denying them sleep and exposing children to constant noise late into the night.
Coptic Hospital in Nairobi on March 3, 2026. Residents of the hospital's neigbourhood have raised complaints over noise pollution at night from a construction site within the hospital.
“We have reached out to the management, but they have ignored us,” said Patrick S. L, a member of the residents’ management committee.
“We consulted Nema and they told us they had not issued a permit. How can they go ahead with such construction?”
He said the construction continued deep into the night despite repeated pleas from neighbours.
“We cannot sleep at night. Some of us have families and small kids. How can you torture them the whole night?” he said.
The dispute has drawn attention to enforcement of construction regulations in residential neighbourhoods in the capital.
Under Kenyan environmental regulations, noisy construction work in residential areas is generally allowed only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with activities required to stop by 6:00 p.m. Construction is also typically prohibited on weekends unless developers obtain special permits from authorities.
Ongoing construction at Coptic Hospital in Nairobi on March 3, 2026.
The rules, enforced by Nema in collaboration with the National Construction Authority, are designed to limit noise pollution and protect residents’ right to a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed under Article 42 of the Constitution.
Nema regulations further cap noise levels in residential areas at 50 decibels during the day and 35 decibels at night.
Residents say they will continue monitoring the project and expect authorities to ensure the developer complies fully with the law.
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