Freemasons dismiss claims of being a secret society: ‘We make good men better’

The leadership of the Grand Lodge of East Africa, Freemasons' Hall, now says the issue of unpaid rent arrears which led to the closure of their premises by Nairobi County government officials is being handled by their legal department.

The group claims it was given exemption back in 1994 from paying land rates, a matter that was subject to a court case ruled on in 2015 and which they won.

They also dismissed allegations of being involved in secret practices saying their association is to support communities across 40 countries where they have membership.

The Grand Master Mason, Grand Lodge of Scotland, Bro. William Ramsay McGhee, who is in the country, says the organisation is open to all who wish to join and has dismissed allegations of being involved in cultic rituals.

“I have been briefed on the issue that this place has been closed, l am not fully aware of the situation all l know is it has been passed to the legal advisors," said McGhee.

“Contrary to what some people believe, Freemasonry is purely and simply an organization where we try to make good men, better men. We try and instill in them values of integrity, honesty, being God-fearing…whatever they wish.”

He added: “If Freemasonry was a secret society, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today; it’s a society that keeps one or two secrets, but those secrets are nothing to worry about. My concern is that if you go to that if you go to websites today, you will see so many things in there that are totally untrue when it comes to Freemasonry; there is no hockery pockery or anything about it at all.”

The group was thrust into the limelight after the Nairobi County government clamped down the Freemasons’ Hall in the city centre over land rate arrears amounting to Ksh.19 million.