Exactly 22 years ago last month, outlawed Mungiki sect members made their way to Nyerere road in Nairobi carrying jerry cans of fuel, ready to torch the Freemason Hall.
They were dispersed by the police and their mission to kill “a snake that was kidnapping their children”, according to then leaded Nduru Waruinge, was thwarted.
Kenya has Masonic Halls in Mombasa, Nairobi, Naivasha, Kisumu, Nyeri, and Kiambu with the mystery surrounding the organisation being the key factor that many keep off the buildings.
On Sunday, NTV’s Duncan Khaemba seeks to take us inside the world of freemasonry in Kenya with an interview with one of its foremost members, Ambrose Rachier, as he lifts the lid on the enigmatic world of freemasonry and its place in Kenya’s public life.
Freemasonry remains a secret order, built on the power of mystery, and with a roster of powerful members. Its history in the country outlives independent Kenya with a rich place in the country’s architectural history.
For many years, the Church in Kenya has associated freemasonry with devil worship with chilling stories of how people have disappeared just by walking outside the freemason temples in Kenya.
So mysterious has the organisation been seen to be that the Church instigated the formation of the Devil Worship Commission in 1994 to investigate its activities.
Kenya’s Freemasonry is part of the District Grand Lodge of East Africa which also comprises Uganda, Tanzania, and Seychelles, and traces its origin in Zanzibar in 1904.
The first District Grand Lodge of East Africa Freemasons’ Conference was held on June 30 and July l 1989 at the International Conference Centre, Arusha, Tanzania and was sponsored by the Mwanza Lodge No 7485.
The group has held 13 conferences since then with the latest having been held at Trademark Hotel, Village Market in Nairobi on September 28, 2018.
In the recent year, freemasonry activities have however not been such a mystery with the organisation using the Internet to publicise its activities, albeit after they are done.
“The Principles of Freemasonry can be discussed quite freely and openly – there is no secret about them. The so–called Masonic secrets relate only to the means of recognition between Freemasons,” District Grand Lodge of East Africa says on its website.
On February 5 this year, Donyo Sabuk Lodge, No. 4070 of the District Grand Lodge of East Africa, celebrated their centenary with a splash-out event at the Freemason’s Hall Ruiru in Kiambu County.
One of the oldest lodges in East Africa, Donyo Sabuk was warranted on January 14 and consecrated on March 19, 1921, with the first lodge meeting being attended by 6 men.
Rachier says that the organisation, which one joins by invitation by members, draws its membership from who is who in Kenya and has its own practices and secrets.
“Masonry is not based on any particular religion… we have Muslims in freemasonry… we have Christians… we have Buddhists. We do not invoke the name of Jesus Christ in our meetings,” Rachier says.
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.
