Court directs sound assessment at Club 213 as order stopping playing of music remains

The assessment, to be conducted jointly by the Nairobi County government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), will determine whether the soundproofing measures undertaken by the club are effective.

In a ruling on August 13, Lady Justice Theresa Murigi directed that the August 7 order temporarily stopping the club from playing music shall remain in force.

However, during the assessment by Nairobi County and NEMA, the club shall be permitted to play controlled music for a limited period as may be reasonably required. 

“The permission is strictly confined to the assessment exercise and shall not be construed as a variation or discharge of the Order,” directed Lady Justice Murigi.

During the assessment exercise, the noise levels in decibels shall be measured within and outside the premises, including the boundary of the affected neighbourhood.

The judge further struck out Nairobi County’s affidavit filed on August 12, requiring City Hall and NEMA to file their reports within 7 days.

The county government had argued that the club operates on a valid licence, having met all compliance requirements.

Nairobi City argued that it was not obliged to revoke the club’s licence due to dissatisfaction by petitioner Allan Monroe Onyango, who accuses the entertainment of playing loud music and causing disturbance to Lavington residents.

In an affidavit on August 6, the club, through its lawyer Caren Lukale, also told the court that it had complied with soundproofing measures and had implemented an internationally recognized acoustic glazing system.

The club further stated that it had undertaken substantial physical alterations to the premises to reduce any possible transmission of sound to neighbouring properties.

Club 213 denied ignoring residents' concerns, as alleged by Monroe. It said that despite undertaking extensive soundproofing works in 2024, it initiated an independent environmental audit following the petitioner’s complaint in July 2026.

The club says the Environmental Noise Assessment found that its operations fall within the applicable permissible environmental noise limits.

The club further denied deliberately projecting music into the surrounding neighbourhood as claimed by the petitioner.

In his petition, Monroe had also accused Club 213 of causing traffic snarl-ups and chaos at the intersection of Isaac Gathanju Road and James Gichuru Road, thus obstructing and interfering with the smooth movement of pedestrian and vehicle traffic to and from the residences located along the roads.