Oyster Bay, a popular restaurant in Nairobi’s Kilimani area, has been closed by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) due to sound pollution concerns.
The restaurant’s General Manager, Sarah Mwangi, expressed frustration over the closure, claiming that Oyster Bay had spent over Sh10 million in compliance with Nema regulations.
Mwangi also suggested that the closure was a result of a witch hunt by competitors through state agencies. She explained,
We have spent over Sh10 million complying with Nema regulations but they keep finding new loop holes, this is obviously a witch hunt by our competitors.”
Mwangi also noted that the closure was timed to coincide with the busy Easter weekend, which is a crucial time for the restaurant.
Despite Oyster Bay’s efforts to address the sound pollution issue, including the installation of a sound proof and a roof, the restaurant remains closed.
The management has appealed to Governor Johnson Sakaja to intervene and reopen the restaurant, arguing that the closure infringes on the rights of Kenyans trying to make a living in a high-cost economy.