Nairobi County Government has officially closed a controversial vehicle repair garage located in the upscale Runda neighborhood following numerous complaints from residents over persistent noise pollution and environmental disturbance.
The directive to shut down the garage was issued by Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Environment, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, after multiple warning notices had been ignored by the garage operators.
Runda Garage Closure Sparks Environmental Compliance Debate
The affected garage, situated within the exclusive and serene Runda Estate, had been under scrutiny for months. Neighbors had repeatedly raised concerns over the unregulated noise levels from car repairs, engine revving, and late-night operations — all of which disrupted the peace and quiet that defines the affluent suburb.
Speaking to reporters, Mosiria emphasized that the county was acting on its mandate to protect residential zones from industrial and environmental hazards.
“We issued several warnings to the garage operators, but they chose to ignore them. Today, I am ordering the immediate closure of the premises. From tomorrow, any individual found working within or entering the premises will be arrested and prosecuted under Nairobi County environmental laws,” Mosiria declared.
He further instructed all workers to vacate the premises and remove any personal belongings by the end of the day. County enforcement officers are expected to begin monitoring the garage round-the-clock to ensure full compliance.
County Government Intensifies Environmental Crackdown
The action against the Runda garage is part of a larger crackdown by Nairobi City County targeting illegal businesses, noise polluters, and poor waste managers in residential neighborhoods.
Recently, Mosiria announced similar campaigns in Eastleigh and Pipeline, where both landlords and tenants have been accused of allowing unhygienic waste disposal practices. In these areas, the county plans to arrest violators and force them to clean their own surroundings using personal resources.
“Our mission is to restore Nairobi’s environmental dignity. We are making it clear that businesses and residents alike must take responsibility for their surroundings. If you generate waste, you must manage and pay for it,” he said.
Mosiria noted that non-payment for garbage collection services had severely undermined the county’s ability to operate waste management vehicles and compensate private contractors tasked with city cleanliness.
“The county’s core responsibility is to clean the roads and major corridors. But domestic waste management falls on individual households. Residents must transport their household waste to the designated Dandora dumpsite or hire licensed providers. Failure to do so will lead to legal consequences,” Mosiria added.
Environmental Health Now a Top Priority in Nairobi
Nairobi County has recently launched an ambitious campaign to beautify and sanitize the capital, especially in residential estates where illegal garages, unregulated kiosks, and unauthorized businesses have been encroaching on public and private land.
The closure of the Runda garage is being hailed as a landmark enforcement case, signaling a tough new era for non-compliant businesses operating in violation of zoning and environmental regulations.
Residents in Runda have welcomed the county’s action, saying the garage had been a long-standing nuisance that attracted strangers, compromised security, and devalued properties in the area.
The Nairobi County Government continues to urge members of the public to report environmental violations through official hotlines or by visiting sub-county environment offices.
