Nairobi-based lawyer Guy Spencer Elms openly declared his pride in being a Freemason, asserting that the fraternity has contributed more to Kenya’s welfare than most politicians.
Speaking at a press conference outside the Milimani Law Courts, Elms defended Freemasonry’s charitable work amid swirling allegations tying him to high-profile fraud cases in Nairobi and Kwale.
The Kenyan-British advocate, known for his environmental law advocacy, faces charges of forging wills and powers of attorney to claim multimillion-shilling properties, casting a shadow over his Freemason affiliations and legal career.
Elms, a partner at Raffman Dhanji Elms & Virdee Advocates, is accused of forging the will of late British tycoon Roger Bryan Robson to seize a Sh100 million estate in Karen, Nairobi.
Court documents allege he crafted a fake will in 1997 and a false power of attorney in 2010, presenting them in 2013 succession proceedings. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) claims Elms attempted to transfer two parcels, LR No. 2327/10 and 2327/117, to himself.
A Nairobi court, led by Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi, rejected the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) attempt to withdraw charges on September 24, 2025, ordering Elms to plead on October 7.
In a separate case, Elms faces accusations of forging the will of billionaire Pritam Singh Panesar to claim a 53-acre beachfront estate in Msambweni, Kwale.
The DCI’s forensic unit declared the will fraudulent, alleging Elms and businessman Nileshkumar Shah, named as joint executors, sought to transfer the land unlawfully. An affidavit by Henry Philip Nyabuto, filed with The Standard, claims he was paid Sh10,000 to create a fake green card to aid the acquisition, implicating Elms in a scheme with an ex-police officer, Wilson Gichuhi.
Elms’ Freemason ties have fuelled public speculation, with critics suggesting the fraternity’s influence shielded him in past legal battles. Freemasonry, often misunderstood in Kenya, was thrust into the spotlight in May 2025 when Nairobi County raided Freemasons’ Hall over Sh19 million in unpaid land rates.
Grand Master William Ramsay McGhee defended the group’s charitable focus, dismissing secrecy claims. Elms echoed this, stating, “Freemasonry builds better men and supports communities, unlike corrupt leaders who plunder public coffers.”
However, Elms’ legal woes persist. In 2021, a court barred politician Agnes Kagure from claiming Robson’s Karen land after ruling her documents illegal.
Yet, a 2022 testimony by forensic examiner Jacob Oduor cleared Elms of forging Robson’s signature, highlighting inconsistencies in prosecution evidence. Despite this, renewed charges in 2025 suggest a determined push by the DPP to hold him accountable.
The cases raise questions about Kenya’s justice system and the influence of powerful networks like Freemasonry. Netizens are calling on Elms’ Freemason pride “arrogance masking guilt”.
Others defend his charitable record, noting his role in environmental causes. As Elms prepares for trial, the public watches closely, questioning whether justice will prevail over influence in Kenya’s high-stakes legal arena.