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The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has warned that noise pollution will not be tolerated during the festive season.

In a statement on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, the authority said it had received noise pollution reports on clubs and religious establishments in residential areas.

“The National Environment Management Authority was established under Environmental Management Coordination Act (EMCA) 1999 to exercise general supervision over all environmental matters and is the principal instrument of government in implementation of all environmental policies. The Authority receives numerous incidences of noise pollution from clubs and religious establishment located within residential areas,” NEMA stated.

NEMA has also warned establishments against using sound-amplifying equipment in a loud, annoying or offensive manner that interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of members of the public.

“The constitution of Kenya under article 42 gives the right to a safe and healthy environment to all citizens. The Noise and Excessive Vibration – Pollution Control Regulations of 2009 prohibits the use of sound amplifying equipment in a loud, annoying or offensive manner that interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of members of the public. We wish to draw your attention to the Second Schedule (3.1) of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999, Revised 2019) which stipulates that any activity out of character with its surroundings will require to undergo environmental impact assessment (EIA),” NEMA added.

NEMA says that shopping centres, commercial centers, business premises, and places of worship such as churches, mosques and temples are subject to environmental impact assessment.

“The Authority notes with concern that most of the facilities reported by the public for causing noise pollution are not compliant. The Authority asserts that noise pollution will not be tolerated during the Christmas festive season and any other time thereafter. Any facility reported by the public for causing noise pollution will attract enforcement action from NEMA and be compelled to; immediately stop any operations that support or generate noise pollution and undertake Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with adequate public participation,” NEMA added.

According to NEMA, if the facility has an EIA license, it will attract prosecution for violation of the EIA license conditions regarding noise pollution.

“NEMA inspectors will continue to monitor facilities at any time to ensure compliance to best environmental standards. Members of the public are requested to report any facilities creating noise pollution using the NEMA hotline numbers 0741 101 100 or 0786 101 100,” NEMA added.