Karen Residents Demand Closure of Betty Kyallo’s Noisy Restaurant

Residents Karen estate in Nairobi are demanding the closure of The Summer House, a restaurant owned by media personality Betty Kyallo, over noise pollution.

Through the Karen Lang’ata District Association, residents wrote to the Nairobi county government asking it to shut down the restaurant for playing loud music at night, causing inconvenience and discomfort to those who live near it.

Association chairperson Silalteh Samora urged City Hall to act swiftly and close the restaurant as well as withdraw any approvals or licenses issued to the owner, claiming they did not follow the prerequisite process when seeking to develop the property as is required by the law.

He further stated that there was no change of user of the property from residential to commercial by either the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) or the Nairobi county government and that there was no public participation for residents to give their opinion before the establishment of the joint.

“No public announcement in any daily newspaper was made notifying members of the public about The Summer House development,” reads the letter dated November 25th.

Kyallo, a former KTN and K24 TV news anchor, officially launched the Summer House this month although the joint has been in operation for three months.

The complaint by Karen residents comes after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and his administration revoked all licenses for nightclubs operating in residential areas over noise pollution.

Sakaja said the county government will no longer issue or renew licenses for nightclubs in residential areas and those already in existence will be allowed to operate only as bars and restaurants.

“Henceforth night club licenses will be issued to premises only within the Central Business District and specified streets in other non-residential areas,” he said.

“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.”