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Freemasons ride on Sh19m land rates dispute to boost image in rare public appeal
The Grand Master Mason, Brother William Ramsay McGhee, walks away from the Freemasons’ Hall in Nairobi after a press briefing on May 16, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Grand Master William Ramsay Mcghee said the Freemasonry was not a secret society involved in ritualistic or tribal worship.
- He further noted that the freemason is not a religion, but rather a fraternity based on integrity, charity, and the betterment of humanity.
A top official of the Freemasons has defended the organization saying their work is rooted in charity, community service and personal integrity, dispelling long-held suspicions of secrecy and mysticism often associated with the fraternity.
Grand Master William Ramsay Mcghee of Scottish Freemasonry told members that a Sh19 million land rates dispute with the Nairobi County Government, which pushed the society to the limelight this week, had been addressed, and that the team had gone back to using the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall.
“I have been briefed on the issue that this place was closed down. As you see, it’s not closed down anymore. It has now been passed to the legal advisers and it is in their hands. For the time being, as you can see, we are back as normal,” he said.
The Grand Master Mason, Brother William Ramsay McGhee, speaks during a press briefing at Freemasons’ Hall in Nairobi on May 16, 2025.
His handlers insisted on having his O.ST. J, D.L. titles as part of his name, meaning an Officer of the Order of Saint John and has been granted the title of Dame by the English monarchy.
Further, he noted that the Freemasonry was not a secret society involved in ritualistic or tribal worship.
“If it was a secret society, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today. There are no dark secrets just a few traditional practices kept to enrich the ceremonial journey of members,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall was among the target for the Nairobi County government operation to recover up to Sh50 billion in outstanding land rates, with the society said to owe Sh19 million.
“This particular premises owes Nairobi County over sh19 million in land rate arrears. We will not only be clamping properties belonging to defaulters, but we are also moving to disconnect services such as water and sewer lines where necessary,” said Nairobi City County Executive Committee member for Health Suzanne Silantoi.
Further, the grand master noted that the freemason is not a religion, but rather a fraternity based on three core pillars: integrity, charity, and the betterment of humanity.
“Contrary to what some people believe Freemasonry is purely and simply an organisation where we try and make good men better men. We try and instill in them the values of integrity, of honesty. To being God-fearing in whatever they wish,” he said.
“We try in fact the three principles of Freemasonry are quite simple and straightforward. We've got three pillars. These three pillars represent all that is good in mankind,” he added.
He said that Freemasonry is not a religion, but a value-based fraternity built on the principles of integrity, charity, and brotherhood.
He encouraged those curious or skeptical about Freemasonry to attend lodge open days or visit their official websites for accurate information.
“People often fall victim to internet rumors. We urge everyone to learn about us from the right sources. We are here to support our fellow men, whether and women of course, whether they are in masonry or not. We like to be an integral part of each community and support the communities in whatever way we can,” he said.
Nairobi County Council team at the Freemasons Hall along Processional Way, Nairobi on May 14, 2025.
“My concern is that if you're going to the website, you will see so many things in there that are totally and utterly untrue when it comes to Freemasonry. There's no hockery-pockery or anything at all about it. We're simply good, honest men who are trying to make good, honest men out of other men and improve society and bring to society all that we can through our charitable works,” he said.
On membership, the Grand Master clarified that Freemasonry is open to all men of good character, regardless of age or background, with only one disqualifier: a criminal record involving murder.
“We are looking for good men to make better men. That’s what Freemasonry is all about—living with honesty, supporting our neighbours, and giving back to the world around us,” he said.
Locally, the Nairobi building—classified as a district—hosts lodges under various constitutions, including the Scottish, Irish, and English, each meeting regularly.
Nairobi County Council team, led by Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi, at the Freemasons Hall along Processional Way, Nairobi on May 14, 2025.
“This is known as a district. Under Scottish Freemasonry, we’ve got between 600 and 700 lodges at home in Scotland, and we’ve got nearly 400 lodges scattered in over 40 countries throughout the world. All of those lodges report back to the Grand Lodge in Edinburgh. In east Africa we have 10 lodges which amounts to almost 34000 members,” he said.
“There is no requirement to be rich, poor or anything else. We just work for good men to try and make those good men better men,” he added