HISTORIC FREEMASONS HALL CLOSED IN KSHS 19 MILLION LAND RATES STORM

Nairobi County Government has shut down the iconic Freemasons’ Hall located on Nyerere Avenue over land rate arrears totaling Ksh19 million.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, was led by Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi, alongside officials from the County Revenue Department, as part of an intensified crackdown on land rate defaulters across the capital.

“This particular premises owes Nairobi County over Ksh19 million in land rates arrears,” said Silantoi, adding that the closure came after several warning notices and demand letters were ignored by the property owners.

Officials said the enforcement action was taken as a last resort after exhausting all legal procedures. Chief Officer in the Governor’s Office, Priscilla Mahinda, and Chief Officer for Housing, Lydia Mathia, who were present during the exercise, emphasized that due process had been followed.

In addition to sealing off properties, the county now plans to disconnect essential services—including water and sewer lines—to properties that remain non-compliant.

The Freemasons’ Hall, a historic landmark that serves as a venue for masonic meetings and events, becomes the latest casualty in City Hall’s aggressive revenue recovery campaign.

Nairobi’s revenue streams have come under immense pressure, largely due to a ballooning wage bill and widespread default on land rate payments. Out of 256,000 registered land parcels in the city, only 50,000 are up to date with their land rates, according to county records.

The clampdown on the Freemasons’ Hall follows a similar move on Tuesday, where the county closed four buildings in Nairobi’s Central Business District over unpaid rent.

Nairobi County Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, said the enforcement exercise will continue until all defaulters settle their dues.

“We gave them time to comply, but they failed to show goodwill. We have no choice but to enforce,” said Njoroge.