Assessing the Efficacy in the Regulation of recreational noise pollution in emerging Urban Centres in Kenya

Abstract

One of the numerous sources of noise in emerging rural towns in our counties is recreational noise from entertainment joints. With the continued rise in noise pollution, a country cannot make a big step in terms of development because for development to be a reality, a healthy labour force is required. In this study, the researcher therefore sought to find out whether the existing legal frameworks adequately address recreational noise pollution control; and further how to improve the efficacy of the various strategies and instruments currently in force to control and manage recreational noise pollution; mainly through stakeholder involvement and decentralisation. This is mainly because the public appears to condone recreational noise pollution as an everyday, normal and regular affair, oblivious of the immense health and economic issues associated with noise. Specifically, this study sought to assess the efficiency and efficacy of existing instruments for prevention, early detection, eradication and control of recreational noise pollution from entertainment joints in rural towns in Kenya. Hola town was selected as the area of study as it represents most hitherto rural centres that have exeperienced tremondous growth since the coming into force of devolved governments. The study employed qualitative research methods mainly through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations which were used to supplement secondary data from available literature. Through these methods, necessary data were obtained from members of the public (including resident associations), the enforcement officers such as the police and governments officials dealing with environment and liquor licensing, businesspeople and employees in the entertainment industry, and several literatures. The study found out that involving the stakeholder, including the community, is a key factor in improving the efficacy of recreational noise pollution prevention and management in the rural towns. The study concludes that stakeholder involvement positively and significantly predicts the ability of regulatory and other recreational noise management frameworks to perform. It is therefore recommended that all recreational noise pollution control and management measures should involve the stakeholders, including the community, right from the formulation through to the implimentation stages. Such involvement should be in the form of decentralisation and localisation of recreational noise control programs, enhanced awareness creation on the dangers of recreational noise pollution and the need for prevention and the empowerment of, and imporovement on the existing, institutions dealing with noise pollution control.