The Odeon constructing is situated on the intersection of Latema Road and Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
It is a well-liked landmark within the Nairobi CBD, with the vast majority of individuals utilizing it to offer instructions, similar to the Archives and Railways Bus Stage.
It additionally serves as a bus stage the place Nairobians can board matatus to completely different estates, together with Lucky Summer, Ruiru, Westlands, Kasarani, Kahawa West, and Lavington.
Odeon is an Ancient Greek phrase that means “singing place.
It refers to an historical Greek or Roman constructing designed for musical performances and poetry readings.
The constructing dates again to 1928, when a British businessman referred to as Oscar Deutsch based the Odeon.
Deutsch first launched the “Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation,” a cinema corridor within the United Kingdom.
The corridor had been used for cinemas in France and Italy.
Odeon was constructed within the Nineteen Fifties, and Dahyabhal Okay Patel obtained the lease and the Odeon franchise.
The Cinema opened its doorways in Nairobi CBD throughout that interval, making it the flagship of the Odeon Cinemas chain in Eastern Africa.
Odeon Cinemas was a big worldwide firm throughout this era, and Patel opened one other one in Nakuru.
However, Patel’s funding was disrupted by the Mau Mau battle earlier than it picked up.
Odeon cinemas additionally face stiff competitors from different cinemas, together with Shan, Liberty, Embassy, Casino, ABC and Globe cinemas.
Table of Contents
Financial Challenges and Change in Ownership
Patel bought the Nairobi Odeon Cinema to Indian Film Combine Ltd in 1959 however continued to function the Nakuru department.
The Company rebranded the cinema and ran it efficiently till 1969.
When the lease ended, the Kenya Exhibitors Ltd. took over Odeon Cinemas.
The firm had Kenyan administrators, and the takeover was a part of the localization coverage.
Odeon had day by day exhibits ranging from 1 pm to 9 pm through the 70s and 80s.
It confirmed the brand new Kung Fu blockbusters and the primary repeat Hollywood blockbusters.
Odeon was one of many prime 10 greatest cinemas in Kenya when it comes to viewers and income throughout this era.
However, the cinema enterprise declined over time.
Odeon Turned right into a Church
The cinema was reworked right into a Church within the Nineties underneath Pastor Pius Muiru.
Many cinemas in Nairobi, equivalent to Cameo, Shan, and Embassy, had been become spiritual or enterprise enterprises throughout this era.
In 2011, it grew to become the Kenya Aviation College, Nairobi Campus.
