Fay’s Bistro in Kilimani, Nairobi, was recently shut down by Environment Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale due to persistent noise pollution complaints from residents.
The closure, executed by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), follows multiple warnings to the venue.
Duale emphasized that this action serves as a warning to other clubs in residential areas, highlighting a crackdown on noise disturbances.
Following the closure, the owner of the restaurant has come out to defend her business from claims leveled against it.
In a video seen by WoK, the owner, Feruz Abdi Faisal clarified that her business does not sell alcoholic drinks or run a nightclub as previously claimed.
“This restaurant is fully family friendly. We are not a bar, we are not a club, we are a family-friendly restaurant where you can bring your children, family or go for a date,” she explained.
In her emphasis, Faisal also stated that as a Muslim woman, she is forbidden to run a bar or even sell alcohol in her restaurant.
“That’s the propaganda in speculation that’s going around but it’s far from what Fay’s Bistro is,” she stated.
Faisal expressed her dissatisfaction following the closure of her business which she says she set up after moving back to Kenya from the United States.
“I’m deeply hurt, you guys can imagine, I brought a business from America to here, I have given fellow Kenyans jobs and do everything by law only to be portrayed as a club or somebody that disturbs neighbours,” she added.
Faisal explained that she opened the restaurant in January 2025 after months of constructing and designing the space from scratch.
On the idea of setting up the restaurant, shw explained that she runs three restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, and wanted to bring the American taste back home.
“I opened it in an African country; it’s the first time ever. I’m bringing the taste of America here and the Somali authentic food. I feel like this type of fine dining was needed here,” she explained.