Governor Sakaja Rejects Calls to Shut Down Noisy Nairobi Churches and Mosques

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has rejected calls to shut down churches and mosques located in residential areas within the city over noise pollution.

Sakaja has been under pressure to close noisy places of worship following last week’s decision to revoke the licenses of all nightclubs operating in residential areas for playing loud music.

Speaking on Thursday during the official commissioning of the Green Park Bus Terminus, Sakaja said he is a believer and will not move around the county closing the places of worship. The governor said he will instead initiate dialogue with the clergy to come up with an appropriate solution.

"I will not close the churches. We want them to spread the gospel on obeying rules and regulations. I will initiate talks with them because we must be reasonable and accommodate each other in the city,” Sakaja said.

“We are going to have a conversation also with the churches that please let us be considerate of others, and that is how you spread the gospel by being a good example. Of course siwezi enda kufunga kanisa. Hiyo sitafanya (I won’t do that) because I’m a believer and I will not touch a place of worship, whether it’s a mosque, a church or a synagogue but we are urging them to set an example and be responsible,” he added.

At the same time, Sakaja vowed not to rescind his decision to cancel the licenses of nightclubs in residential areas, saying children will now have peace of mind to sleep without the disturbance of loud music.

“Let’s take care of our young people, let the children sleep in the estates. We have cancelled all the nightclub licenses in the estates and they will continue to operate as bars and restaurants, not as nightclubs,” he said.

"I won't rescind my decision of ejecting bars and restaurants from residential areas. We have closed that chapter, and let us move on. Those saying people will lose jobs are seeking sympathy. It is the right thing to do, although unpopular.”

"The CBD, Industrial Area, Woodvale Groove in Westlands, those will be entertainment hotspots that you yourselves will enjoy," he added.