Many people in Nairobi only admire the heights of towering buildings yet they don’t know the history behind some magnificent towers.
Some of them were built in pre-colonial years and have stood the test of time and harsh weather conditions.
But there are buildings that stand out among all, yet they are not tall but last for thousands of years. Those are the ones that were built by Freemasons.
A quick check on various history sites, some of the buildings include the All Saints Cathedral at the turn of the last century.
Indeed, it was the Freemasons who defined Nairobi’s early architecture, building some of the grandest buildings in the country to date.
Most are considered classics. Some are national monuments; giving the city a regal feel, reminiscent of Kenya’s imperial past.The government architect then was J.A Hoogterp.
For this reason, there is a masonic hand in the architecture of key buildings, especially those representing the political, economic, educational or religious powers of the city.
They include Parliament, the All Saints Cathedral, McMillan Library, Kenya Railways headquarters and City Hall, all of which stand out for their impeccable and seamless masonry.
These masons were free to work anywhere, and they came to Kenya with their genius for bricklaying, stone carving and meticulous construction that is evident more than a century later.
