The Nairobi County Government is set to make several radical changes targeting matatus, clubs, and businesses within the central business district (CBD).
In an exclusive interview on the ‘Why It Matters‘ podcast by Kenyans.co.ke, the Chief Officer for Environment in Nairobi County, Geoffrey Mosiria, has revealed that the county is working on a plan to ensure no noise pollution in the CBD.
According to Mosiria, all matatus will be required to mute their music once they enter Nairobi CBD and are only allowed to blast their music after they leave.
Mosiria also revealed that going forward, matatu touts and bus stop conductors (kamageras) will not be allowed to shout and call people. This is on top of the orders for matatus to move out of their bus stations from 10pm to allow for the cleaning.
According to Mosiria, touts will only be allowed to hold placards showing their routes and bus fares without shouting.
“When they are in the CBD, they should not play loud music. We have businesses, colleges, and such,” he said adding, “You can play your music as you leave the CBD.”
Furthermore, all businesses with loud speakers outside will be required to remove them. This includes businesses like electronic shops that often play loud music with someone (sales promoter) calling people and announcing the offers available.
This also includes premises that have loudspeakers with pre-recorded messages calling on clients. “We want the town to be quiet. We want to restore order,” Mosiria asserted.
The county will also be going after bars, clubs, and churches that have been notorious for loud music. According to Mosiria, the county will be innovating new techniques to fight the clubs that have found new ways of escaping the drug net.
Mosiria revealed that some clubs have become bold and headed to court to seek orders to stop the county from closing them down. He said, one club has gone to the extent of seeking court orders to stop him from stepping in the premises.
However, the county will now take a new approach incorporating police, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and liquor licencing officers during the raids.
“We will be mounting serious operations on weekdays. We take measurements at night and come in the morning and take all exhibits…the speakers and sound systems,” he said.
Adding, “We will also be moving with the liquor licencing team and we will be taking away all the liquor if the club has no licence.”
These new measures are part of Nairobi County’s agenda for 2025, to have a clean city.
Nairobi City County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria (right) in an interview with Kenyans.co.ke journalist Samuel Mwanawanjuguna (left) during an exclusive interview at Kenyans.co.ke offices in January 2025.
Kenyans.co.ke