Kenyans: How Kenyan Woman Turned Home to Multi-million Resort

A reclusive and private woman living in Nairobi bought one of the hills in Kumpa, Kajiado County with a plan to build a holiday home which would offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi. 

But soon after building her dream home, family and friends started frequenting the getaway and even offering her payment for inconveniencing her.

According to her daughter, who only wanted to be identified as Diana, the idea of inviting more people and opening it up to strangers slowly began to solidify in the entrepreneur's head.

Diana's mother started expanding the house gradually, attracting more clients, who didn't mind paying for the ambience and the spectacular view in the mountainous region stark in the middle of Kajiado County. 

What was initially a private holiday home with 12 rooms, The Lerruat Log Resort welcomed its first strangers in 2015 when the entrepreneur started running it as a commercial enterprise alongside her two children Diana and her brother who prefers to stay away from the glare of the cameras just like the mother. 

The resort now features 16 standard rooms, 18 deluxe rooms, six family rooms, two special rooms for the physically challenged and four executive suites. 

Guests are treated to alluring picnics sites, nature walks and body massages in the bush. 

"The architecture was inspired by cabins. We liked how cabins looked in Switzerland, especially those on top of mountains. We borrowed from that to build what we have here," Diana stated in an interview with Wode Maya.  

Kenya's domestic tourism industry has received a boost after Covid-19 denied many the opportunity to travel abroad.

It has exposed some of the hidden gems in Kenya which majority of Kenyans did not know existed.

During the 2020 World Travel Awards in November, Kenya scooped more than 10 awards.

In the hospitality sector, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club’s unique comforts in the shadow of Mount Kenya helped it win the title of Africa’s Leading Hotel. 

Kenya’s huge win gives the hospitality and tourism sector a much-needed boost in an effort to recover from the effects of Covid-19.