Nairobi County authorities closed down the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall on Wednesday, escalating a city-wide campaign against property owners defaulting on land rates.
The historic building on Nyerere Avenue, a hub for the secretive fraternal organisation, was shut down over Ksh19 million unpaid rates, as the county continues with its push to address chronic revenue shortfalls caused mainly by long-standing arrears across many city-owned public housing and land developments.
The enforcement operation was led by Health County Executive Committee Member Suzanne Silantoi, alongside Chief Officer for Housing Lydia Mathia and Chief Officer to the Governor Priscilla Mahinda, following months of unmet demand notices to the Freemasons.
“This premises owes Nairobi County over Ksh19 million in land rates arrears,” Silantoi told reporters during the raid. She warned that further measures, including cutting water and sewer services, would be enforced against such non-compliant property owners.
Of the city’s 256,000 registered land parcels, only 50,000 are up to date with payments, a 20% compliance rate that has pushed the county to adopt aggressive enforcement tactics.
On Tuesday, four buildings in the Central Business District were shuttered over unpaid rent, with more closures promised.
The Freemasons, whose membership in Kenya includes influential figures like lawyer and Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, have yet to respond publicly concerning the closure of their hall, which hosts lodge meetings, discussions, and rituals central to the organisation’s activities.
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