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Our Story: The Heart of the Homestead

​​​Meet Your Host: Shibero Akatsa

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Hallooooo! I am Shibero. Born in the green hills of Western Kenya

 

My love for nature and building with earth began in childhood. Long before plans and tools, there were muddy hands, simple play, and long days outdoors—creating, imagining, and learning from the land itself. Those early moments quietly shaped me. What began as childhood mud pies has grown into a lifelong calling that led me, years later, to build my own cob house and to steward this place you are coming into now.

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Ushago Down2Earth Homestead is more than a retreat space—it is my home, and it has been shaped with prayer, patience, and has taken me through many seasons of healing. Building with earth, for me, is not merely a building method; it is a way of life.

A few things about me: ​

  • I absolutely love nature and creation. The book of Genesis was the very first book I read in the bible. 

  • I love and enjoy living the simple life - off the grid lifestyle.

  • I value the "Quiet": While I love entertaining and the outdoors, I deeply cherish the power of silence and reflection.

  • I believe in Joy: I love to laugh and find the humour in the everyday "Ushago" life.

​​Defining 'Ushago'

In Kenya, a Ushago is a colloquial term for a rural home—traditionally built of earth and designed for a simple, self-sustaining lifestyle. In the West, this is known as a "Cob" building.

At Ushago Homestead, we have taken this ancient essence and brought it into the modern world.

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Preserving an Inheritance

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​I am a proud daughter of the Abaluyia people of Western Kenya. I built this homestead because I refused to let our traditional building techniques be forgotten. While the world fast-tracks toward stone and steel, I chose to look back at our ancestors to find a way forward that is healthy, sustainable, and soulful.

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I wanted to create a space where local Kenyans and international visitors alike could see the beauty of our heritage—with a modern twist. This is not just a house; it is a preservation of our inheritance for future generations.

The History: From Fun-Farm to Sanctuary

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The journey began in 2006. Originally, the project started as “The Ushago Children’s Fun-Farm,” featuring three small mud huts designed as an outdoor learning program for children to explore eco-friendly living.

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When we began expanding the homestead in the heart of Karen, many were surprised—some even embarrassed—to see a "mud house" rising up amidst the humongous stone mansions of the neighbourhood. But as the walls grew, so did the appreciation for an "earthy, back-to-roots" lifestyle.

​​​Breaking the Mould

Today, Ushago Homestead is a beacon for schools, church groups, and individuals seeking a different way of life. We are passionate about showing that building can be simple, natural, and affordable.

 

We believe in helping people break out of the "mortgage rut" by rediscovering the Kenyan traditional natural building technology inherited from our ancestors.

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Inside the Book '​​​Building with Earth and Living with Heart'

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Before the homestead was a sanctuary for guests, it was a journey of faith, mud, and hands-on labour. In my book, I share the deeper philosophy behind Ushago Homestead—exploring what happens when we stop building for status and start building for the soul.

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In these pages, you will discover:

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  • The "Why" Behind the Mud: The spiritual and practical journey of reviving the Abaluyia traditional building styles in a modern world.

  • Stewardship of the Earth: How natural building can free us from the "mortgage rut" and lead us back to a healthier, more sustainable way of living.

  • Lessons from the Earth: Reflections on what the process of moulding a home by hand taught me about God’s heart for restoration and community.

 

"This book is for anyone who feels the tug of 'the quiet life'—those who want to learn how to build a life of meaning from the very ground beneath their feet."

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Available for purchase during your stay at our bookshop (see the button below). The home truly reflects the person I am.

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