News
Throw that noisy party at your peril
According to Nema director of Compliance and Enforcement Benjamin Langwen, inspectors would patrol social places and estates to ensure that the rules on noise pollution are upheld during the festive season. PHOTO/ FILE
Posted Monday, December 21 2009 at 20:00
In Summary
- Nema says its inspectors will patrol estates and social places
Planning to throw a party this Christmas without a licence? We will arrest you!
This was the message National Environment Management Agency issued on Monday to anyone hosting a function that will contravene the new noise regulations.
According to Nema director of Compliance and Enforcement Benjamin Langwen, inspectors would patrol social places and estates to ensure that the rules are upheld.
“We are moving around randomly countrywide to ensure peace prevails,” Mr Langwen told the Nation by telephone.
The 2009 Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution (Control) Regulations, are in place to ensure that no one makes any loud and unreasonable noise that disturbs or endangers the comfort and safety of others and the environment.
According to the new regulations, hawkers, peddlers, touts and street preachers are prohibited from conducting business in “silent zones” — designated areas that include health, education, research and judicial institutions.
However, the Matatu Drivers and Conductors Association termed the rules as unfair as they affected their operations, more so during this festive season which they consider their peak time.
So far, one conductor has been charged for breaking the new law.
Offenders risk a fine of not more than Sh350,000 or 18 months jail term, or both.
He urged Kenyans planning to exceed the 60-85 decibels to obtain licences from the nearest Nema offices in their areas.
The licences cost Sh2,200, with Sh200 serving as application fee. “However, the licences should be used within seven days and the noise permitted until midnight,” he warned.
Environment minister John Michuki says the law should be followed to the letter.
Mr Langwen urged the public to report any cases of noisy neighbours to the nearest police station to restore sanity in their areas.
At the same time, permits for fireworks, demolitions, firing ranges and specific heavy-duty industry are issued for a maximum period of three months at a fee of Sh5,000 and Sh500 for application.
The law stipulates the maximum permissible noise levels for construction sites, mines and quarries, among other areas known to be producers of noise.
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Submitted by orokooyaroPosted December 23, 2009 05:16 PM
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Submitted by olegaita66
To change a society,just begin with small near-draconian like laws.A good example is when everybody had accepted that New York city was too big to keep order.But a Mayor by name Juliani was elected and he changed everything through such small draconian laws.Today New York is probably the safest large city in America.
Posted December 23, 2009 05:59 AM -
Submitted by benakombe
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I think NEMA does not understand its role. what have they done to educate Kenyans that forests bring rain and not vice versa? This is ridiculous,NEMA should tackle bigger issues. This goes ahead to show how incompetent our officials are.
Posted December 22, 2009 11:12 PM -
Submitted by jokaseda
This is a good and bad law. It should be revisited to allow for reasonable seasonal acceptable noise. Otherwise as it is, it will intrude into many people’s rights of assembly.
Posted December 22, 2009 10:32 PM -
Submitted by mutuwa123
Whereas I commend Michuki for a job well done, I can't help but ask him to drop his colonial mentality. Laws should not just be punitive. Punishment should not be the sole purpose of a law. Have a number for complainants, a warning and opportunity to reduce the noise to the offender, before your askaris pounce on them. A good law which will be abused by askaris. Warning citations should be given before a fine or charge.
Posted December 22, 2009 09:17 PM
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The only nice thing about this article is the accompaning picture! In as much as we love law and order, it is unfortunate that no right parameters are set within which to enforce the same hence the resulting abuse. First and foremost there must be a structure put in place for such enforcement. Like Benackombe said...LETS THINK BIG!!!