Nairobi County Closes Freemasons Church Over Land Rate Arrears
On Wednesday, May 14, the Nairobi County Revenue Department raided the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall for alleged land rate arrears, as the assault on defaulters continued.
The operation, directed by Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi, was part of the county government’s larger effort to target rate defaulters.
According to the tax department, the Freemasons Hall on Nyerere Road had a land rate debt of Ksh19 million.
While addressing the press on Wednesday, May 14, the County Revenue Department, led by Chief Officer of the Governor Priscilla Mahinda and Chief Officer for Housing Lydia Mathia, stated that the hall was closed in accordance with due process.
Nairobi County to Clamp Down on Freemasons Hall Over Unpaid Land Rates
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) May 14, 2025
The Nairobi County Revenue Department is set to conduct an enforcement operation today at the Freemasons Hall (Grand Lodge of East Africa), located near Serena Hotel, over unpaid land rates running into… pic.twitter.com/k6nNkDGbfz
Demand letters and notices were issued as part of the due process before proceeding with enforcement action.
“This particular premises owes Nairobi County over Ksh19 million in land rates arrears,” Silantoi said during the raid.
Silantoi further stated that the crackdown on land defaulters would not finish with the imposition of building restrictions.
The County Revenue Department also announced preparations to disconnect services, such as water and sewer connections.
The Freemasons Hall, located on Nyerere Avenue, is a historic edifice that accommodates a variety of Masonic-related events and celebrations.
Members can engage in talks, meetings, and, on occasion, rituals at their regular lodge meetings while reaffirming Freemasonry’s core beliefs.
Nairobi has been struggling in terms of county revenue, owing primarily to a rising salary cost.
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This predicament has been aggravated by a failure to pay land rates.
Only 50,000 of Nairobi’s 256,000 registered land parcels are currently up to date, which appears to justify the county government’s decision to conduct enforcement activities.
The blow to Freemasons came just a day after the county government took down four buildings in the central business center due to unpaid rent, promising to knock down more in the coming days.
Nairobi County’s Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, stated that those impacted had failed to fulfill their obligations despite the county providing them the opportunity to demonstrate goodwill by paying the arrears.
Nairobi County Closes Freemasons Church Over Land Rate Arrears
