Freemasons: 7 Notable Nairobi Buildings Constructed by Organisation Shrouded in Mystery

• There is a masonic hand in the architecture of key Nairobi buildings, especially those representing the city’s political, economic, educational or religious powers
• Freemasonry is widely misunderstood in Kenya, and many link it to shady practices, as was the case for Ambrose Rachier
• The Gor Mahia chair was widely criticised after proudly disclosing that he is a member of the fraternal society

When Ambrose Rachier announced that he was a Freemason, he attracted criticism far and wide.

Some of Rachier’s business associates even went ahead to disassociate themselves from the widely misunderstood organisation.

But unknown to many, the Freemasons are behind some of the most iconic buildings in the capital.

Some of the notable buildings with masonic signs include:

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City Hall

The white building near KICC hosts the office of the Nairobi governor.

One cannot miss the uniqueness of the building and the masonic influence in its architecture.

City Hall was completed and opened to the public in the 1950s. It was later expanded in 1981 after the 13-storey City Hall Annex was constructed beside it.

McMillan Library

The McMillan Memorial Library, at the junction of Wabera Street and Banda Street, is a public library.

It is the oldest library in Nairobi and the second oldest in Kenya after the Seif bin Salim Library in Mombasa.

The library also houses an extensive Africana section and rare first-edition books and works of art, including portraits and sculptures.

Parliament

Amyas Connell and Thornley Dyer designed the new legislative buildings for the British administration before Independence.

After Independence, the legislative buildings were renamed New Parliament.

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One of its most distinctive features is a miniature version of the Big Ben Clock, located at the Palace of Westminster in London, England.

Nairobi School

The institution was established as European Nairobi School.

Fortunes changed for the school when Sir Edward Grigg became the Governor of Kenya in 1925 and demanded a senior boys’ school.

Grigg laid the foundation stone in 1929 and contracted Sir Herbert Baker, a Freemason, to build it.

All Saints Cathedral

The foundation stone for the Church of All Saints was laid in February 1917.

The architect Temple Moore loved the Gothic style of constriction, and it was consecrated in 1952.

However, it was not until 1963, after Independence, that Africans were allowed to use the facility for worship.

Freemason’s Hall

The earliest freemasons came to the country to construct the All Saints Cathedral Church.

In the process, they built their Freemasons Lodge along Nyerere Road.

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It was built in the 1930s and has always appeared deserted.

Kenya National Archives

The Kenya National Archives holds 4,0000 volumes of public records and archives.

The gigantic building was formerly a banking hall.

Its unique architecture sets it apart from all surrounding structures.

Most impressive Nairobi skyscrapers

In other news, TUKO.co.ke listed some of the tallest buildings in Nairobi.

The city witnessed rapid growth since the 2000s, and several new buildings eclipsed the KICC and Times Towers.

Some of them include the Prism Tower, Britam Tower and Le’Mac.

Source: TUKO.co.ke