Habanos Lounge, a popular nightlife venue located along the Northern Bypass near Kiambu Road, has been ordered to shut down with immediate effect by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The decision follows multiple noise complaints from neighboring residents and the lounge’s consistent failure to comply with previous regulatory directives.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NEMA confirmed that it had served a Closure Order to the club after repeated warnings were ignored.
“NEMA yesterday issued a Closure Order to Habanos Lounge… following persistent noise complaints from neighbours and failure by the club to adhere to previous orders to control noise pollution. The orders are to take effect immediately,” the authority announced.
The enforcement action marks a critical turning point in ongoing tensions between entertainment venues and residential communities in Nairobi, particularly in zones where urban nightlife collides with suburban tranquility.
Mounting Pressure from Residents and Officials
Habanos Lounge had recently become the focal point in a growing public outcry over noise pollution in upscale Nairobi suburbs. Residents in areas such as Ridgeways reported sleepless nights, citing loud music that often lasted into the early hours.
Earlier this month, a government official took to social media to call out the establishment directly:
“Dear HABANOS, please install Soundproof and copy your neighbour’s BND. The children & families as far off as Ridgeways live as if they are inside your club. An old lady told me she has had to invest in soundproofing her house because of the noise. Please.”
Multiple sources confirmed that some residents in the vicinity had spent significant amounts on private soundproofing solutions in a bid to mitigate the nightly disruption.
Wider Crackdown on Noise Pollution
The closure of Habanos Lounge comes amid broader efforts by NEMA to clamp down on entertainment venues that fail to implement proper noise control measures, especially those located near residential zones.
NEMA reiterated that its mission is not to hinder business growth, but to ensure that commercial ventures operate responsibly and with respect for community wellbeing.
“We support business and leisure, but not at the expense of public peace,” NEMA emphasized.
With the Habanos case setting a clear precedent, attention is now shifting to other establishments that have also been flagged for excessive noise. The message from authorities is unmistakable: silence is not only golden — it’s now the law.
