Karen residents have launched an appeal to compel the Nairobi county government to close Betty Kyallo's new restaurant - The Summer House.
Karen Lang’ata District Association expressed their frustrations with The Summer House in a statement dated November 25, 2022.
The association lamented that Betty's restaurant has caused unprecedented noise pollution by playing loud music at night, causing inconvenience and discomfort to those who live near it.
Association chairperson Silalteh Samora demanded that the county government moves with speed and close the restaurant and withdraw any approvals or licenses issued to the owner.
Samora stated that Betty's restaurant did not follow the prerequisite process when seeking to develop the property as is required by the law.
He further noted 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.
The association also claims there was no public participation for the residents to give their opinion before the establishment of the entertainment joint.
“No public announcement in any daily newspaper was made notifying members of the public about The Summer House development," Karen Lang’ata District Association chairperson said.
Lafera
Lang’ata Forest Edge Residents Association (Lafera), an affiliate member of the Karen Lang’ata residents’ association, also lodged a complaint in October, through Kiarie, Joshua & Co Advocates, saying The Summer House did not match the aesthetic value ideal for the area as per the zoning policy.
Lafera gave a seven-day notice to the director of Environment at the Nairobi county government to close the restaurant, failure to which it would move to court.
“Please note that at the expiry of seven (7) days’ notice upon receipt of this letter without any action being taken against the said establishment, our client’s irrevocable instructions are to file the petition under a certificate of urgency before the Environment and Land Court seeking the appropriate orders compelling you to carry out your statutory functions,” Lafera's letter dated October 19 reads in part.
The Summer House
Betty Kyallo officially launched The Summer House on November 18, 2022, even though the restaurant had been in operation for about three months.
The media personality operates a handful of businesses in Nairobi county including the popular Flair with Betty beauty parlour in Kilimani.
Clubs closure
The move by Karen Lang’ata District Association and Lafera to shut The Summer House comes just days after Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja reined in nightclubs in the city county.
In a notice on November 25, 2022, Sakaja banned nightclubs from operating in residential areas following numerous complaints from the public on noise emanating from bars, restaurants, nightclubs and liquor-selling premises.
The governor stated that no nightclub licenses will be issued to premises operating in residential areas and added that licenses would only be issued to clubs within the Central Business District (CBD) and specified streets.
The county boss additionally stated that licences already issued to nightclub owners in residential areas were cancelled.
"No nightclub licenses will be issued or renewed for premises operating within residential areas. Those already issued are hereby cancelled and establishments may continue operating as bars and restaurants only," Sakaja stated.
Several nightclubs in residential areas of Nairobi were Sunday night November 27, raided by police officers enforcing an order by the Nairobi County government.
