The Freemason Society in Nairobi has dismissed allegations by Nairobi County that it owes Sh19 million in land rates, stating that the property in question is held under a trust, which exempts it from such obligations.
According to the society, discussions are ongoing with county officials, and both parties are expected to release a joint statement to clarify the matter soon.
The clarification was made during an address led by Brother William Ramsay McGhee, the Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, who is currently visiting Kenya.
On Wednesday, May 14, Nairobi County officials, led by Health CEC Susan Silantoi, raided the Freemasons Hall on Nyerere Road over a land rates debt amounting to Sh19 million.
The raid was part of an ongoing countywide operation targeting defaulters, as the revenue department intensifies efforts to collect about Sh10 billion in the next two months, out of the total Sh50 billion owed.
While leading the operation on Tuesday, Mr Njoroge said they will be merciless this year, adding that the waiver period has been ignored by hundreds of landowners.
