A quiet but mounting tension is unfolding in Nakuru, one that pits the city’s fast-rising entertainment scene against the long-cherished calm of Milimani Estate.

What began as murmurs of discomfort has now grown into formal complaints, legal threats, and a widening rift between nightlife promoters and a fiercely protective neighbourhood.

The recent official petition was filed by Nakuru Milimani Residents Association who had sued the Nakuru County Government and Jade Hekima Lawn, a popular entertainment venue in the estate.

The residents complained of noise pollution from Jade Hekima which they accused of playing loud music throughout the night, infringing on residents’ property rights and their entitlement to a clean, healthy, pollution-free environment.

The conflict intensified after the November 22nd “Ol’skool Bongo vs Kenya Edition” event at the Nakuru Golf Club when residents of millimani lodged another complain

On November 24, the Nakuru Milimani Residents Association wrote to the club raising concerns over noise pollution.

This was followed by a letter to the club on December 3, by the Milimani Phase II Court Management accusing the event of keeping residents awake until 2am and violating noise limits set by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and county by-laws.

But this was merely the latest spark in a fire that had already been burning.

Against this backdrop, Milimani residents had also raised their concerns over the “Oldies & Soul” event, prior to the event happening expressing their dissatisfaction to the time the event was to end.

On the Letter dated November 24 seen by Mtaa Wangu, the association wrote the club reminding them that;

“We wish to remind you that Milimani Estate is a residential area, where, by law, the noise level must not exceed outdoor limits of 50dB during the day and 35dB at night’.” reads part of the letter.

An event organiser who did not want to be named notes, the estate is making it even more expensive to run events at the club because of too many demands.

“To nightlife lovers and promoters, Milimani’s stance appears increasingly like a coordinated pushback against Nakuru’s blossoming entertainment culture. The Golf club is what we consider a premium venue, however too many demands will send event promoters from the venue. Even if the County Government issues compliance confirmation for an event, the community there lacks faith in event organisers. In future the result would be a difficult time for event promoters to secure the venue for their events,” they note, other than additional cost you have to incur to meet their demands.

Yet from the Nakuru Golf Club’s side, the picture is different.

In a phone interview, Nakuru Golf Club Captain, Eng. Michael Mululu says the club is opening up its grounds to the public through its events space, a move he says has already contributed positively to attracting new members.

He adds that going into 2026, the club intends to cement its position as a premier venue for organisers who can meet the club’s rates and uphold its standards.

“We have been having events at the Nakuru Golf Club like weddings and wedding receptions and other functions. However, we have not been having issues other than one complaint we received from Milimani Phase II on noise pollution. We acted on it by having (NEMA) officers test the sound during the event that followed. Oldies and Soul events run smoothly and we had no complaints from the community,” he says.

Mululu emphasized that the club will continue offering its grounds as a safe, well-managed space for events while taking all necessary measures to avoid disturbing neighbouring residents.

Milimani residents argue that Nakuru can dance, celebrate, and host major events, but not at the expense of sleepless nights and disruption in what has historically been one of the city’s quietest suburbs.

Caught in the middle is Nakuru itself, a city evolving into a cultural hub, attracting bigger acts, more events, and a thriving nightlife scene. But with that growth comes friction, and Milimani is emerging as the frontline where the battle between celebration and serenity is being fought.

wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Friction between residents and party organisers threatens nightlife in Milimani

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