NEMA orders closure of Club 213 pending noise pollution assessment

In a closure order dated August 19, 2026, NEMA said the facility had failed to submit documents requested following a public notice on noise pollution issued on September 8, 2025.

In the said notice, the authority had required the club to provide its certificate of incorporation, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licence, current environmental audit, noise pollution control measures, and an explanation of why legal action or closure should not be taken against the facility.

According to the order, the club failed to provide the documents within the stipulated seven days, despite continued noise complaints against the facility.

NEMA directed that the facility must close immediately, undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment, and obtain the necessary licence from the authority before resuming operations.

The club has also been directed to soundproof the facility, undertake a noise survey, and comply with other environmental laws and regulations.

NEMA further ordered the management to ensure environmental records are kept at the premises and made available to environmental inspectors during inspections. The facility will be required to invite NEMA inspectors for a re-inspection once the conditions set out in the order have been fulfilled.

The authority warned that failure to comply with a lawful order issued by an environmental inspector is an offence under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), with a conviction potentially attracting a fine of between Ksh.2 million and Ksh.4 million, imprisonment of between one and four years, or both.

NEMA also cited provisions requiring proponents of certain projects to submit project reports to the authority before undertaking specified activities.

The Environment and Land Court in Milimani Law Courts had earlier directed a sound assessment of 213 Lounge and Restaurant Limited in a ruling on August 13.

The assessment was to be conducted jointly by the Nairobi County government and NEMA to determine whether the soundproofing measures undertaken by the club are effective.

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.

Club 213 denied ignoring residents' concerns, as alleged by petitioner Allan Monroe Onyango, who accuses the entertainment of playing loud music and causing a disturbance to Lavington residents.

The club said that despite undertaking extensive soundproofing works in 2024, it initiated an independent environmental audit following the petitioner’s complaint in July 2026.

In his petition, Monroe had also accused Club 213 of causing traffic snarls 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.

However, the club said it had conducted an Environmental Noise Assessment, which 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.