A legal battle is heating up in Nairobi after the Registered Masonic Trustees of Nairobi (RMTN) filed a lawsuit against the county government. The case stems from a dramatic incident on May 14, 2025, when Nairobi City County officers stormed the Freemasons’ historic premises on Nyerere Road, broke down the gate, and slapped the building with a default notice over KSh 19 million in unpaid land rates.
The Freemasons are pushing back hard. Through Rachier and Amollo Advocates, they filed a Notice of Motion before High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye, seeking to block the county from any further interference with their property. They argue that their building, registered as L.R. No. 209/2473, is exempt from land rates based on Legal Notices No. 389 and 390 issued back in 1990. These notices, they say, are still legally binding and were never revoked.
According to court documents, this is not the first time the county has tried to collect land rates from the Trustees. In the past, similar efforts were dropped once the exemptions were pointed out. But this time, City Hall went all in, demolishing the property gate and posting a public notice declaring the premises under county control.
The Freemasons, a registered society under Kenya’s Societies Act, are known for their charitable contributions and say they’ve operated within the law for decades. They claim the county’s latest actions violate their constitutional rights, particularly the rights to property and fair administrative action under Articles 40 and 47 of the Constitution.
They also argue that Nairobi County failed to provide formal communication before launching the raid, undermining their legitimate expectation of fair treatment. The Trustees now want the court to stop any further action by the county and are demanding compensation for emotional and operational damage caused by the incident.
The property in question isn’t just a piece of land, it’s a Nairobi landmark with deep historical roots. As the May 29 hearing approaches, the Freemasons are fighting not just for their land but for their right to be treated justly under the law.
By Yockshard Enyendi