NEMA shuts down Kilimani's Oyster Bay

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has shut down Oyster Bay bar and restaurant in Kilimani following complaints of noise pollution by persons living in close proximity to the entertainment joint.

In a statement on Friday, NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo noted that by playing extremely loud music the Kilimani bar, located along Ndemi Road, was interfering with the comfort, health and safety of area residents.

Mamo further pointed out that despite NEMA previously issuing improvement notices to the club's management following past complaints of noise pollution, the pub has continued operations without having a valid license.

"Enforcement actions have been taken including issuing of improvement notices, arrests, confiscation of sound-amplifying equipment and prosecution at the City's Court," said Mamo.

"The last joint operation undertaken at your facility by a team of Gazetted Environmental Inspectors from NEMA in collaboration with county officials issued an improvement notice for all operations to cease at the facility till all remedial actions stated in the notice are complied with but this also yielded no results and you have continued to operate unreservedly."

According to NEMA, as per the constitution, every person has a duty to cooperate with state organs and other persons to protect and conserve the environment and ensure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.

"The Authority hereby orders you to immediately cease operations of this facility until you have complied with the provisions of EMCA, 1999 and the Environmental Management and Coordination Regulations, 2009," said Mamo.

Oyster Bay's management has the right to appeal against the Environmental Improvement notice to the National Environmental Tribunal according to NEMA Director General.