The Odeon building is located at the intersection of Latema Road and Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

It is a popular landmark in the Nairobi CBD, with the majority of people using it to give directions, just like the Archives and Railways Bus Stage.

It also serves as a bus stage where Nairobians can board matatus to different estates, including Lucky Summer, Ruiru, Westlands, Kasarani, Kahawa West, and Lavington.

Odeon is an Ancient Greek word meaning “singing place.

It refers to an ancient Greek or Roman building designed for musical performances and poetry readings.

The building dates back to 1928, when a British businessman called Oscar Deutsch founded the Odeon.

Deutsch first launched the “Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation,” a cinema hall in the United Kingdom.

The hall had been used for cinemas in France and Italy.

Foundation & History

Odeon was built in the 1950s, and Dahyabhal K Patel obtained the lease and the Odeon franchise.

The Cinema opened its doors in Nairobi CBD during that period, making it the flagship of the Odeon Cinemas chain in Eastern Africa.

Odeon Cinemas was a large international company during this period, and Patel opened another one in Nakuru.

However, Patel’s investment was disrupted by the Mau Mau conflict before it picked up.

Odeon cinemas also face stiff competition from other cinemas, including Shan, Liberty, Embassy, Casino, ABC and Globe cinemas.

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Financial Challenges and Change in Ownership

Patel sold the Nairobi Odeon Cinema to Indian Film Combine Ltd in 1959 but continued to operate the Nakuru branch.

The Company rebranded the cinema and ran it successfully until 1969.

When the lease ended, the Kenya Exhibitors Ltd. took over Odeon Cinemas.

The company had Kenyan directors, and the takeover was part of the localization policy.

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Odeon had daily shows starting from 1 pm to 9 pm during the 70s and 80s.

It showed the new Kung Fu blockbusters and the first repeat Hollywood blockbusters.

Odeon was one of the top 10 best cinemas in Kenya in terms of audience and revenue during this period.

However, the cinema business declined over time.

Odeon Turned into a Church

The cinema was transformed into a Church in the 1990s under Pastor Pius Muiru.

Many cinemas in Nairobi, such as Cameo, Shan, and Embassy, had been changed into religious or business enterprises during this period.

In 2011, it became the Kenya Aviation College, Nairobi Campus.

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