- Sakaja said henceforth his administration will not issue or renew licenses for night clubs in residential areas.
- He added that those that already exist will now function only as bars and restaurants, operating only within specific times.
More than 200 revelers who police termed as rude and unruly were Sunday detained on the first day of operation on noisy bars operating in estates.
Police said they also targeted bars that were operating beyond the stipulated time.
According to Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei, the team, which also comprised officials from the County Government, confiscated operating licenses of some premises.
“The premises know they are not supposed to operate beyond some hours and others knew they were playing loud music in estates,” he said.
Bungei said most bars are operating at night clubs yet they are not licensed.
He added the operation will continue to ensure sanity in the city.
“Some of these joints are dens for criminals and we hope with the new directive, things will be different,” he said.
The raids came shortly after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja shared pictures of the teams ready for deployment.
"Last call. No nightclubs in residential areas. Goodnight," he captioned the photos.
The announcement and move elicited different reactions online with some condemning it while others lauded the move.
Sakaja had cancelled licenses for nightclubs operating in residential areas following a public uproar over noise pollution.
Sakaja said henceforth his administration will not issue or renew licenses for nightclubs in residential areas.
He added that those that already exist will now function only as bars and restaurants, operating only within specific times.
“Henceforth, night club licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District and specified streets in other non-residential areas,” read the statement signed by Nairobi County Secretary Dr Jairus Musumba.
“Bars and restaurants in residential areas must operate within the specified time and control noise emanating from their premises. Specifically, playing of music must stop by 10 pm.”
“All liquor-selling premises in the County should provide sufficient parking for clientele. Vehicles causing obstruction along roads and footpaths shall be impounded.”
The developments came months after the county government had dismissed calls that advocated for at least 43 bars in the city’s uptown residences to be shut down over noise pollution.
Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri on October 12 said that the county government will not close the joints as long as they are compliant with the law.
Addressing members of the Bar Owners Association and Residents’ Association during a stakeholder consultative forum in Nairobi, Muchiri said the current leadership is focused on expanding the business environment and creating more opportunities in that sector.
"We are about creating opportunities and developing a conducive environment for the business community to thrive, not closing down people's business in Nairobi, but people must also comply to the laws governing the running of the business," Muchiri said then.