History

Values

Facilities

Jobs

Reciprocating Clubs

The Club was founded in 1901 by Boustead & Ridley who had been businessmen in Zanzibar. After two years, the proprietors asked to be relieved of the ownership as the membership was too small to sustain itself. The acquisition started and members bought furniture including two billiards tables and they continued to occupy the building on lease. So, from an early stage, Nairobi Club has belonged to its Members under Trusteeship. It was not until 1958 that a successful move was made for the Members to acquire it. Previous moves had foundered on lack of finance. In 1964, final payment was made after the owners reduced the outstanding amount to a nominal 1,000 Sterling Pound.

The earliest membership list in the Club records is that dated 1903 and listed 256 Members. From this, the Club recorded steady growth over the years. In 1933, concern was voiced over declining membership and a proposal that the Entrance Fee be varied or suspended by the Committee was carried, but only after lengthy and heated discussion. It was said that “a virile young country needed a virile Club and that to maintain the validity, a regular flow of young Members was necessary”. Some of the speakers were worried about “undesirable members” while others pointed out that the purpose of a Balloting Committee was to prevent that happening.

Junior Membership was introduced in 1934 limited to those between ages of 21 and 28 and who would, on reaching 28, be eligible for Full Membership without further ballot although the age rules changed from time to time. 

The war years saw temporary increases in military Membership. After the Second World War (1939 – 1945), numbers picked up and amenities were extended but work was limited by a building control Committee, set up by the government in 1946 to vet new building projects and control the distribution of cement, hardware and building materials which were in short supply.

By 1967, Membership was 3,229, of which 1,882 were Full Members. It remained fairly constant around the 3,000 mark although there was a drop to 2,810 in 1974. A high point was reached in 1980 with 4,116 Members. Since then, numbers have gradually declined; a much larger entrance fee and higher subscriptions probably accounting for this. Membership by mid- 2000 was 2,247 of which 1,533 were Full Members.

The Club continues to upgrade its facilities and currently, the expansion of the gym is underway.

Another notable development at the Club is that since May 2005, the club has allowed ladies to join as Members in their own right. They can then nominate their spouses. This has enhanced the number of ladies joining the Club.