Nairobi County Launches Tough Crackdown on Noise Pollution in CBD
The Nairobi City County Government has unveiled a new set of regulations aimed at curbing rising noise pollution within the Central Business District (CBD), targeting matatus, entertainment joints, and businesses notorious for excessive noise. The directive, announced by Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria on February 12, 2025, seeks to restore order and create a more conducive environment for learning, commerce, and residence in the city. The move follows growing complaints from residents, students, and business owners over persistent noise disruptions caused by public service vehicles and loud entertainment venues.
Under the new rules, matatus will be required to switch off their music upon entering the CBD, only resuming once they leave. In addition, touts and conductors will no longer be allowed to shout to attract passengers; instead, they must use placards displaying their routes and fares. The county has also placed strict limits on businesses and vendors that play loud music or use pre-recorded messages to draw customers, a common practice along busy streets. According to Mosiria, these measures form part of a broader initiative to reclaim Nairobi’s central spaces as orderly, business-friendly zones that respect both residents and environmental standards.
Mosiria noted that bars, nightclubs, and churches operating in residential areas will face severe penalties if found violating noise regulations. He lamented that some establishments have used court orders to evade compliance, insisting that only bars and restaurants are legally permitted to operate in residential zones. To ensure full enforcement, the county will collaborate with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), police, and liquor licensing officers to conduct nighttime inspections and confiscate sound equipment or liquor from unlicensed premises. Mosiria affirmed that the operations will be continuous and uncompromising, signaling a major shift toward restoring order and tranquility in Kenya’s bustling capital.