Geoffrey Mosiria Defends Move to Seize Instruments at Popular Kasarani Church: "Not Stopping Gospel"
- Nairobi county officials confiscated sound equipment from a Full Gospel Church in Kasarani after residents lodged multiple complaints about excessive noise
- Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria said the church was served with a notice but failed to comply, prompting the enforcement action
- The church leaders protested the move, accusing the county of religious discrimination and perceived leniency toward mosques during early morning prayers
TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
It was a Monday like no other at Full Gospel Church in Clay City, Kasarani, after Nairobi county officials stormed the premises and seized sound equipment.
Source: Facebook
The operation, led by Geoffrey Mosiria, the Nairobi county chief officer for Environment, took place following what he described as persistent complaints from local residents who said the church was disrupting their peace, especially at night.
In a video posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Mosiria explained the motive behind the crackdown, saying the church had ignored a formal notice issued on March 21, instructing it to cease excessive noise.
“The community has complained for too long. People are not able to sleep or enjoy peace in their own homes,” Mosiria said, showing messages and online complaints from aggrieved neighbours.
During the enforcement, county officers confiscated several pieces of sound equipment, including speakers and mixers.
Mosiria pointed out that the church had installed external megaphones that allegedly amplified the disturbance to surrounding residential units.
Visibly agitated church leaders vocally opposed the county's action, drawing comparisons to the Muslim calls to prayer and accusing the authorities of selectively targeting Christian institutions while turning a blind eye to similar practices elsewhere.
“What you are doing is wrong. You are stopping the gospel of God,” a church leader asserted. “I’ve stayed in Mombasa for five years. Muslims make noise every morning, who has ever complained to you? You are victimising the churches.”
Is Geoffrey Mosiria victimising Nairobi churches?
In response, Mosiria dismissed the allegations of religious bias, stating that the enforcement was purely about protecting public peace.
“Are you in a noise competition with Muslims?” he posed. “If I receive a complaint about any mosque, I will act accordingly. This is not about religion; it's about ensuring your neighbours are comfortable, so they can also come and worship with you. But if you disturb them, you are pushing them away from God.”
Another member of the congregation defended the use of megaphones, claiming they were used to invite neighbours to attend services. However, Mosiria questioned the logic behind that approach.
“You’re making noise for them so that they come and worship with you? Who told you they want to?” he retorted.
The chief officer reiterated that the county government’s mandate is to ensure Nairobi residents enjoy a peaceful living environment, regardless of whether the noise originates from a church, mosque, nightclub, or business.
“People of Nairobi deserve to sleep in a peaceful environment. No one should make noise, be it a church or a nightclub,” Mosiria said. “And if someone is disturbing your peace due to noise pollution, report it by calling 1508. We will respond as a government to sort out the issue.”
Source: Facebook
Nairobi cracks down on nightclubs in residential areas
On Tuesday, April 29, Mosiria led a raid on Orchid Lounge along Ngong Road, a nightclub operating without the necessary licenses.
The raid was part of a broader effort to combat noise pollution, following complaints from local residents about disturbances caused by clubs in residential neighbourhoods.
Mosiria revealed that the nightclub had repeatedly ignored both written and verbal warnings regarding its non-compliance with the law, including the failure to install soundproofing measures to reduce noise.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
