Kenyatta House located in Maralal, Samburu County in Northern Kenya is a simple house; yet, it holds a lot of historical significance to Kenya’s independence and governance. The three bedroom bungalow is where Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s founding father and first president, was partly held in detention by the British colonial government after being transferred from Lodwar prison.
Kenyatta had been detained in 1953 by the colonial government after being accused of associating himself with the Mau Mau movement, a group that was pressing for freedom from a ruthless colonial government. He served his first part of the sentence in Lodwar and Kapenguria, where he was put under lock and key. Even though the house is over 50 years old, it still stands firm and majestic to signify the sacrifice and challenges Kenya’s founding fathers had to go through in order for Kenya to gain independence.
What many people don’t know is that Kenya’s 4th and current president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is son to the country’s first president, and he admitted he was conceived in this house in 1961. The house sits on a hilly 28-acre piece of land, and it is considered to have been the transition between imprisonment and freedom because Jomo Kenyatta was allowed to receive visitors. Accompanied by his Somali bodyguard, he was also allowed to go out to the market, mingle with locals, and buy food using the little allowance he got from the colonial government. However, he was not allowed to address groups of more than of ten people for fear of incitement.
Kenyatta House is a typical example of British colonial architecture designs that were famous in those days. The house has a small verandah with distinct colonial designs, but lacks elaborate décor. Inside the 3 rooms in the house, Kenyatta’s photos are firmly hanged on the walls.
The house also has a small kitchen with a firewood oven and a flash toilet. Gazetted as a national monument in 1977, this laid back historical house holds the greatest secrets of agreements and meetings Kenyatta had with colonialists.These meetings paved the way for the country’s independence.
The sitting room is made up of a simple wooden couch with canvas pillows and a dining table. There is a black and white photo of Jomo Kenyatta placed in a huge frame among the photos on the walls, as well as a group photo with his friends.
The floor of the house is cemented and red in color, while the roof has been painted green. Kenyatta lived in this house from April 1961 to August 1961 after Michael Blundell, a white settler, negotiated for his transfer from Lodwar prison to Maralal.
Kenyatta House is now under the management of National Museums of Kenya and receives numerous visitors. All items in the house have been well preserved to maintain a similar 1961 look. To maintain the old furniture that holds great historical significance, visitors are not permitted to sit on any chairs or beds. Although the house has been repainted a couple of times, the original colors have been retained.
