The Nairobi County Government has closed the iconic Freemasons’ Hall on Nyerere Road due to unpaid land rates totaling Ksh19 million.
The closure took place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, as part of a countywide enforcement operation led by Health County Executive Committee Member (CEC) Suzanne Silantoi. The building, owned by the Grand Lodge of East Africa, serves as a meeting venue for the Freemason society and is considered a historic landmark in the city.
According to county officials, the decision to shut down the premises followed multiple warnings and official notices that were ignored by the property owners. "This place owes the county over Ksh19 million," said CEC Silantoi during the operation. "We’re not stopping at closures. We also intend to cut off water and sewer services for other defaulters."
Also present at the site were Priscilla Mahinda, Chief Officer in the Governor’s Office, and Lydia Mathia, Chief Officer for Housing, who noted that the clampdown is part of a broader strategy to boost revenue collection.
Nairobi is currently grappling with financial strain, largely due to a ballooning wage bill and poor compliance from property owners. Out of 256,000 registered land parcels in the city, only about 50,000 have their land rates fully paid.
The shutdown of Freemasons’ Hall follows a similar move the previous day, where four properties in the Central Business District (CBD) were sealed over outstanding payments.
Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, reiterated that affected property owners had been given ample time to settle their dues. "Many ignored our warnings, so we had no option but to act," he said. "This is just the beginning—more properties will be closed if payments aren’t made."
The Freemasons’ Hall will remain closed until the outstanding Ksh19 million is cleared, marking a firm stance by Nairobi County in its efforts to enforce compliance and recover lost revenue.
