CS Duale orders closure of Fay's Bistro in response to complaints of noise pollution

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Aden Duale has ordered the closure of Fay's Bistro & Lounge Limited following complaints of noise pollution.

Fay's Bistro & Lounge Limited which is located in Kilimani, Nairobi, is said to have failed to comply with environmental regulations related to noise pollution.

The notice was issued by The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) Director General.

"With immediate effect the closure order is hereby issued to operation at your restaurant that prohibits offering entertainment activities including playing live bands and amplified music within your business at an existing complex mall," said Nema Director General Mamo Mamo in a letter addressed to Fayruz Abdi who is the director of the joint.

This action follows numerous complaints from the public regarding excessive noise from live bands and amplified music at the restaurant.

Nema cited failure by Fay's Bistro to implement improvement notices issued in June and August 2024.

The authority emphasized that the restaurant’s operations had violated Article 42 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to a clean and healthy environment.

The establishment contravened Section 3 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) of 1999, which mandates the regulation of noise pollution.

Director-General Mamo stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful environment in residential areas.

“No person shall use any sound-amplifying equipment in a loud, annoying, or offensive manner,” Mamo said, referencing Section 8(1) of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination regulations.

CS Duale said that the Nema Director-General was accompanied by the Nema Police unit to enforce the closure.