Police probe Freemason temple attack
Ramjit Sagoo, (right), a member of Mt Kenya Masonic Temple, puts out fire that destroyed their holy books on June 12, 2013. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI
What you need to know:
- According to Mr Gachanja, someone must have been following his movements through the night before accessing the building and burning the books and other artifacts.
- Speaking to the Nation, Mr Sokhi said the religious books that were torched inside a huge metallic box were priceless.
Police in Nyeri are investigating a case where unknown people broke into the Mt Kenya Freemason temple and burnt religious books.
The temple caretaker, Mr Daniel Gachanja, said he was about to switch off the security light on Wednesday morning when he noticed smoke billowing from the building.
“I patrolled the compound until 4.45am then went to sleep. I woke up at 6am to switch off the security light when I saw thick smoke coming out of the temple,” he said.
Mr Gachanja narrated that he noticed one door had been opened from inside and called the temple members as he tried to put off the fire.
According to Mr Gachanja, someone must have been following his movements through the night before accessing the building and burning the books and other artifacts.
Priceless books
Nyeri deputy OCPD Zacchaeus Ng’eno ruled out theft as the motive adding that nothing was stolen from the building.
“I suspect it is someone who has been inside the building who hates us,” said the temple’s former lodge master Jogginder Sokhi.
Speaking to the Nation, Mr Sokhi said the religious books that were torched inside a huge metallic box were priceless.
The perpetrators got into the building using a ladder to access a window which they broke and gained entry.
“Some people say we are devil worshippers but we read the bible and other religious books too,” said Mr Sokhi while showing part of a Bible that had been burnt.
