The Summer House, a restaurant owned by media star Betty Kyallo, was ordered closed by Karen residents as a result of suspected noise pollution, according to the Karen Lang’ata District Association.
The group said in a letter dated Friday, November 25, written to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, that the former K24 journalist had broken city ordinances in order to open the upscale restaurant.
“The county government should move with speed and close the restaurant and withdraw any approvals or licenses issued to the owner,” ‘chairperson Silalteh Samora demanded.
“It has caused unprecedented noise pollution by playing loud music at night, causing inconvenience and discomfort to those who live near it,” he added.
In addition, the association complained that the management did not publish a notice in any newspaper to notify members of the public of the venture.
“There was no public participation before the establishment of the entertainment joint that has hosted some notable names in the entertainment industry like Nigerian hitmaker, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, alias Patoranking.
“There is no change of user of the property from residential to commercial by either the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) or the county government,” he argued.
The demands by Karen residents came hours after Sakaja banned nightclubs from operating in the residential areas on Friday, November 25.
“Henceforth, nightclub licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District and specified streets in other non-residential areas,” Sakaja declared.
In October 2022, Citizen TV’s Trevor Ombija defended his restaurant over rampant noise complaints from Kileleshwa residents. Ombija’s joint was accused of circumventing by-laws.
“There are genuine complaints that must be addressed but there are also malicious accusations that must be called out,” Ombija stated.
