Since its start, Odeon has emerged as one of the landmarks in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), where the public can access transportation means to various estates.

According to history, Odeon was owned by the Indian Film Combine, which bought it from the franchise Oscar Deutsch.

Deutsch was a businessman who founded Odeon around 1928.

Before building Odeon, he had earlier launched the “Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation,” a cinema hall in the United Kingdom.

Odeon is an ancient Greek word that means ‘singing place’, recreating the Roman or ancient Greek building situated for musical performances and poetry reading.

The building is strategically located between Latema Road and Tom Mboya Street in the CBD.

In most instances, it also serves the purpose of giving directions to the majority of people, like the Afya Center house and Archives.

The building has also been controlled by Dahyabhal K. Patel and Kenya Exhibitors Ltd.

How it Came to Life in Kenya

Odeon building was built in the 1950s when Dahyabhal K. Patel secured the lease and the Odeon franchise.

The Cinema opened its gates in Nairobi CBD at that period, making it vital for the Odeon Cinemas chain in East Africa.

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After flourishing, Patel opened another branch in Nakuru County, as it was an international company.

Odeon displayed new Kung Fu blockbusters and the first repeat Hollywood blockbusters, which made it one of the top 10 best cinemas in Kenya.

Challenges Odeon Cinema Faced

The rise of Mau Mau disrupted Patel’s investment before it picked up.

Other cinemas in the market like Shan, Liberty, Embassy, Casino, ABC, and Globe Cinemas.

Due to financial constraints, Patel also sold the Nairobi Odeon Cinema to Indian Film Combine Ltd in 1959, but continued to operate the Nakuru branch.

The Cinema declined over time.

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How Odeon was Turned into a Church

In the 1990s, Pastor Pius Muiru transitioned the Cinema into the church.

These significant changes come after other cinemas in Nairobi, like Cameo, Shan, and Embassy, had been turned into worship places or business enterprises.

Later, in 2011, it became the Kenya Aviation College, Nairobi Campus.

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Odeon building in its early years. Photo/UGC.