John Garang’s ‘State House’ in Lavington

The late John Garang’s house. (Photo:Jeckonia Otieno/Standard)

By Jeckonia Otieno

Nairobi, Kenya: Never in his wildest dreams did Henderson Magare imagine he would be playing host to an iconic African leader in a house he had initially intended to be a home for him and his children.

John Garang’ de Mabior, the late first vice-president of Sudan, lived in the abode, which is currently known as Lavington Hill House, now a boutique resort perched majestically on a slope overlooking Kileleshwa in Nairobi.

Garang’s name is synonymous with the struggle for independence in South Sudan after leading a guerrilla war that span almost three decades, culminating into a peace agreement that finally led to the birth of Africa’s newest country, South Sudan.

The house, conceptualised by Magare himself, cost a fortune to build as the retired college principal narrates. For many, owning a home in an upmarket estate of Nairobi would be but a dream that would probably disappear with time. His was a dream to build a house with a bedroom for each of his six children — four girls in a row and two boys.

“Even as a teacher, it was always my dream to live in the leafy suburbs of Nairobi, and I was determined to get there despite just being a college principal,” says Magare who is now managing the resort.

Dream

He says: “I looked for a house to buy in the Lavington area but could not find any because the prices were prohibitive, and I did not have money to make such a purchase. I, however, realised that a little goes a long way. So, together with my wife, Prisca Kemunto, we decided to buy land instead.”

Using some savings they had made, the two bought the slightly more than an acre piece of land in 1996. “My mind was set on giving my six children a lavish bedroom each, so that they would just live a life of comfort,” says Magare.

After some months of carefully planning what he wanted to be put up, and sitting with an architect to actualise his dream, Magare used money from a family business and savings.

Bit by bit, the construction of the six-bedroom mansion started and for four years, the family toiled to see its completion, which came in 2000.

The house, designed by Prof Jerry Magutu of the University of Nairobi, came to be Garang’s house and office in 2004. Little did Magare know it was the leader who would become his tenant.

The house — perched on the slope, or the hill — became South Sudan’s ‘State House’ away from home from January 9, 2005 until he died in an air crash in July of the same year.

The house stands imposing from every angle. The building housed around 50 people when Garang’ lived in the house. The house has two blocks, the main house and an adjoining Block B. Today, most other rooms have been turned into 18 bedrooms for visitors who lodge in the resort.

The interior decor is made up of furniture that might not have been here when Garang’ lived here, but it still gives a good imagination of what the house would have been during his time as a tenant. On the second floor, is the room, which acted as Garang’s office.

Magare’s wish for the house is that it be a monument in future, as the history of South Sudan is closely tied to it. He would not give up the house as it is close to his heart due to its historical position in reference to the struggle for independence in South Sudan.

After Garang’ left, Magare lived in the house briefly, then rented it out but later decided to change it into what it is today — a resort.