High Court Orders Arrest of Owner of B-Club in Kilimani for Defying Shutdown Order

A Nairobi court has ordered the arrest of the owner of B-Club in Kilimani for defying a court order to shut down the nightclub.

High Court judge Loice Komingoi directed Kilimani OCS to arrest Barry Ndegeyingoma and bring him to court for continuing to operate the entertainment joint in disregard of an order issued in 2019 requiring it to close.

The order was issued by the Environment and Lands court after Kilimani residents sued the nightclub and its proprietor due to noise pollution.

The court directed the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and City Hall to revoke operating licenses issued to B-Club and three other nightclubs—Kiza Lounge, Space Lounge, and Explorers Tavern.

“The clubs were in contravention of the EMCA (Noise and excessive vibration pollution) control regulations 2009,” Justice Komingoi ruled.

Through Kilimani Project Foundation, residents moved back to court, stating that B-Club was still in operation despite the court order. Justice Komingoi found Ndegeyingoma guilty of contempt of court and ordered him to appear in court in person on February 15th for mitigation and sentencing but he failed to show up.

“I am satisfied that the continued operation of the business of B-club in the absence of any orders suspending 2019 decision from the Court of Appeal amount to contempt,” the judge said.

In their petition, Kilimani residents argued that the activities of the four joints exposed their children to immorality, littering by drunken revelers, and obstruction of their cars.