The Freemason Society has publicly denied allegations by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration that it owes Sh19 million in unpaid land rates.
The group, often surrounded by secrecy and myths, now finds itself in the spotlight, not for its rituals or symbols, but over a financial dispute.
A dramatic raid by Nairobi County officials on the iconic Freemasons’ Hall on Nyerere Road has triggered a public back-and-forth between City Hall and the influential society.
However, the Freemasons say they have legal grounds for non-payment, and negotiations with the county are already underway.
Freemasons Reject County Debt Claim Amid Ongoing Crackdown
In a bold statement, the Freemason Society has called Nairobi County’s claims baseless. William Ramsay McGhee, the Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, spoke on behalf of the society and firmly denied the allegations.
He clarified that the Freemasons’ Hall is not directly owned by the society, but rather registered under a trust—a legal status which, he argued, exempts the property from paying land rates under Kenyan law.
“The property is held in trust and should not be subjected to standard land rate charges,” McGhee stated, dismissing the Sh19 million debt claim by Sakaja’s government.
The issue arose after county officials, led by Health CEC Susan Silantoi, stormed the Freemasons’ Hall during a wider campaign to recover Sh10 billion in unpaid rates within just two months.
The county says this is part of a longer-term push to collect over Sh50 billion in outstanding dues from landowners who failed to respond to an earlier waiver period.
During the operation, county enforcement officers placed a red notice on the Freemasons’ Hall, claiming the building as county property until the debt is paid.
However, the Freemasons are not taking the matter lightly. They have entered into negotiations with Governor Sakaja’s administration and are expected to release a joint statement clarifying the legal standing of the property and any potential way forward.
Sakaja Administration Targets High-Profile Defaulters
The operation targeting the Freemasons is part of a larger effort by the Sakaja administration to improve Nairobi’s revenue collection. The county says many landowners have long ignored their responsibility to pay land rates, even after being offered waivers and extended deadlines.
Speaking during the raid, County Revenue Director Wilson Njoroge emphasized that there would be no exceptions, even for high-profile or powerful institutions.
“We are clamping down on plot number 209, which owes the county around four million shillings. We will put a notice on the building stating that this property belongs to Nairobi City County until all debts are cleared,” Njoroge said.
While the Freemasons have rejected this figure, calling it inaccurate, the county’s aggressive approach signals a new era of enforcement. The administration has made it clear that even historically exempt or elite groups are not immune from scrutiny.
Governor Sakaja has remained tight-lipped on the matter but is expected to comment following the upcoming joint statement with the Freemasons.
Freemason Society Emphasizes Legal Status and Ongoing Talks
Though often shrouded in secrecy, the Freemason Society has taken an unusually public stance on this issue. They argue that their property, due to its legal registration under a trust, should be treated differently under the law.
Trust properties often serve public or charitable purposes, and in some cases, they qualify for exemptions from standard taxation.
“The claims are simply not true. We respect the law and are following the proper channels to resolve this misunderstanding,” said McGhee.
Legal experts suggest that if the property is indeed owned by a trust, the county may face an uphill battle enforcing the Sh19 million bill. This adds a layer of complexity to Sakaja’s aggressive debt recovery campaign, especially as it seeks to balance enforcement with legality and fairness.
The Freemasons maintain that their discussions with the county are progressing well and that both sides are committed to finding an amicable solution.
