Nairobi churches, county reach deal to curb noise pollution

Nairobi Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Nairobi residents could soon have noiseless Sundays if the agreement between churches and the County will be adhered to.

Church leaders and Nairobi County have reached an agreement on how to manage noise pollution which usually emanates from loudspeakers and other instruments in church.

For some time now some City residents have accused some churches of disturbing them during service hours and mostly at night during night vigils commonly known as kesha.

And not the churches have been directed to adjust down their instruments during praise and worship sessions lest the preachers leading such sessions are arrested.

These were deliberated in a meeting that brought together umbrella bodies of bishops and pastors in Nairobi County led by Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria.

"We have been receiving complaints and after assessment, we have involved the community and the church to tell them that they have to manage the noise that is coming from their houses of worship," Mosiria stated.

The Chief Officer said the majority of churches and mosques are located in residential areas and have been accused of causing noise pollution.

At the same time, he said the county will lead public participation at the sub-county level involving all the church's leadership so as to educate residents about county laws touching on noise pollution.

Mosiria also noted that there is a plan to allow churches to hold night vigils at Uhuru Park to avoid disturbing the residents in the estates.

It was also proposed that the church will collaborate with the County to host Nairobi Environmental Prayer Day, to sensitize our people to the importance of conserving the environment.

Bishop Samuel Njiriri who is Chairman of the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya said during the meeting it was agreed that for now the preachers will not be arrested or churches closed.

"We will regulate ourselves, but it is true that some churches make a lot of noise during crusades and night vigils, which disturbs other people including their health

Pointing out, "I disagree with the proposal to take crusades to Uhuru Park because that is akin to leaving the altars, the only option is to adhere to the requirement to avoid using loud instruments

Njiriri said among the discussion was recent laws passed by the county where preachers are supposed to pay Sh50,000 for permits to hold crusades in Nairobi.

"We rejected that because churches don't charge those attending the crusades, we preach for free, there will be public participation on that between us and the county so that we can strike a fair deal," explained Bishop Njiriri