ATG Church, Semara Hotel,
Machakos Golf Club targeted
By Anchor Reporter
Agitation has hit Milimani Estate in Machakos municipality
owing to noise pollution from a Church and surrounding hospitality
installations.
Picture Courtesy of Semara Hotels
Residents say they are unable to sleep due to loud music and
booming voices from the church- ATG Deliverance which conducts overnight
prayers amis loud music. “ I’ am unable to sleep. Friday Kesha and Saturday
band from Semara(Hotel) I need your help to put this selfish entities from
violating our right to peaceful environment. I wrote a letter a couple of weeks
ago and the 4am prayers stopped but it looks like we need to do more”, said
Lydia Kaindi in a plea to her neighbours to commence civic activity to end her sleeplessness.
The pleas highlight the nature of conflict that many residents
endure. On the one side, the County Government of Machakos gets revenue from
licensing both the church and hotel within the framework of the National
Environment Management Authority controls. Organizations get a license that is
paid for to be able to cast their voices aloud. It costs Kes 2,500 per day and
NEMA hardly follows up on the consequential outputs after bagging the cash.
On the face of it, the organizations seem to have discharged
their part of the bargain after paying for the licenses. Churches use loud
hailers to attract audiences as they work up big or handful attendees in an
effort to win souls for Jesus Christ, although in truth, they do so to target
those who will eventually give fat offertories and Tithes.
The residents have written a protest letter to the County’s
Chief Officer in charge of Environment- a Mr Metho, seeking that the matter be
handles once and for all and end suffering.
The letter lists the ATG Church- complete with a telephone
number for the Lead Pastor, Semara Hotel and Machakos Golf Club as the trouble
spots that are spoiling the lives of Milimani residents. Thought the letter
originates from Milimani, it is possible that residents within a wider area view
the institutions in the same way. Residents are enduring noise pollution that
the institutions necessarily generate for their survival and the county
government, regrettably, benefits from.
