The Environment and Land Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Habanos Lounge director, Maurice Asira, after finding him in contempt of court for flouting noise pollution orders.
Delivering the ruling virtually on Thursday, August 28, Justice Charles Mbogo said Asira’s actions amounted to blatant defiance of the court’s authority.
“The 1st respondent is in total disobedience of this court’s orders and undermines the authority of the court. Such conduct will be dealt with firmly to prevent future defiance,” Justice Mbogo stated.
The judge directed that Asira be arrested and arraigned in court on October 22, 2025, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison or otherwise penalized for contempt.
The ruling follows a notice of motion filed in April, which accused the club of continuously violating court orders aimed at curbing noise pollution.
The warrant adds to the embattled club’s woes. In April 2025, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) ordered the immediate closure of Habanos Lounge after repeated noise complaints from residents of the Northern Bypass neighborhood.
At the time, NEMA cited the establishment’s persistent failure to adhere to prior directives and noise reduction measures, despite several warnings and consultations.
“NEMA yesterday issued a Closure Order to Habanos Lounge, located along Northern Bypass, following persistent noise complaints from neighbors and failure by the club to adhere to previous orders to control noise pollution. The orders are to take effect immediately,” the agency said in its April 16 statement.
The closure and subsequent arrest warrant highlight growing tension between popular entertainment venues and regulatory bodies, as authorities move to enforce environmental and public health standards.
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