Historic Sites in Machakos

Macmillan Castle: Gate-Crashing a British Party

Remembered as one of Kenya’s prominent white settlers during the colonial era, Northrup, the American Game Hunter, Gentleman Buccaneer, and Philanthropist with money to burn, did not quite fit into any of the categories affiliated with the eccentric settlers, many with aristocratic links. He was a one-off, but a prominent member of that early pioneering group whose input was so important in shaping the future of Kenya. He played a significant role in Kenya’s early colonial history and was known for his mega land holdings, philanthropy, and political influence.

William Northrup MacMillan arrived in Kenya in 1904 aged 32, for game-hunting safari. Standing over 6ft 3inches tall and weighing in at about 200 kilos, he was a rather unmistakable figure, and when he walked off the ship at the Kenyan port in Mombasa, the attendants saw a giant of a man, a trait so commonly alluded to. It was while on safari that he was taken aback by the fetching and unsullied out and out empty lands. He was captivated by this new country, stayed and became one of the progressive settlers in Kenya. The American-born millionaire first settled at Chiromo in Nairobi, and then moved into his outlandishly baroque hunting lodge at Juja Farm, before he finally took residence at his masterpiece Macmillan Castle.

Using his robust network and deep pockets, Northrup acquired this estate in the outskirts of Thika alongside a massive 50,000-acre estate near Nairobi (dubbed Juja Farm), which soon became one of the largest private landholdings in Kenya. Completed in the early 1900’s as his family residence at the heart of the sweeping 400 km2 sisal and coffee Ol Donyo Sabuk Farm, the jumbo 32-rooms medieval style country castle, with underground bunkers, became a stencil in the excesses of the colonial settlers and a welcome avant-garde melding of architectural styles.

A happy go lucky fun-loving chap, Northrup is fondly remembered for throwing down unbridled shindigs at his castle, entwined with excessive mores and a list of eminent guests including Winston Churchill and Prince Amedeo. He was a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt, hosting him during his famous 1909 African safari. When the Great Wars wend in, Northrup was as a volunteer in the Boer War and later as an intelligence officer in World World I. By the same token, he became a British citizen and was knighted (1918) for his contributions to the British Empire.

After his death in 1925, the estate almost instantaneously fell apart. The castle was initially used as a hospital for the British Empire and later abandoned. His estates later became part of Kenya’s post-independence land redistribution. It then lived-through a long stint of neglect when it was mercilessly vandalized up until 2008, when it was gazetted as National Monument and restored as a museum. Although Lord MacMillian, buried on Ol Donyo Sabuk Hill, was famous for his love of “good old get-togethers” he also made a big contribution to development of agriculture.

Kenya is home to numerous historic sites that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, ancient civilizations, colonial history, and struggle for independence. These historic sites offer valuable insights into Kenya’s past and its diverse cultural heritage, making them essential destinations for visitors interested in her history.

Index of Historic Sites Around Kenya

Baringo County - Timboroa Railway Station , Bungoma County - Chetambe Fort , Kilifi County - Prince Henry the Navigator Monument , Vasco da Gama Pillar , Malindi Pillar Tomb , Portuguese Chapel, Malindi Butwani Pier , Kwale County - Shimoni Ruins , Lamu County - Shela Mosque, Lamu Fort , German Post Office, Siyu Fort , Machakos County - Macmillan Castle Sabuk , Fort Machakos , Makueni County - Gurdwara Makindu Sahib , Patterson Ruins Tsavo, Meru County - Kaaga War Memorial , Twin Baobab Trees , Giant Meru Oak, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus, Old Port , Sanaa Gallery , Leven House , Old Law Courts , Kengeleni Bell , Old Railway Station, Mbaraki Pillar , Fort St. Joseph , Kraph Monument , Fort Makupa , Arab Rifle's Monument , Mombasa's Tusks , Ras Serani Light, Mandera County - Fort El Wak , Nandi County - Kaptumo I Kipture Forts , Samiitui Aldai Historic Stone , Nyeri County - Old Ruling Court, Taita Taveta County - Kitchwa Tembo Hill , Salaita Hill , The Sniper Tree , Maktau Railway Station, Mwashoti Hill , Mwakitau Hill , Tana River County - Tana Delta Old Fort , Tharaka Nithi County - The Mutunguruni Tree , Wajir County - Wajir Fort , Ancient Orahey Wells , Orahey Bunkers , The Old Town Wajir

Historic Ruins along the Coast of Kenya - Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River & Lamu

Part of the larger Ukambani alongside Kitui and Makueni, Machakos County is a nexus between Maasailand, the coast region, the central highlands, and Nairobi. The northern area of Machakos, being a dormitory zone for the capital of Nairobi and a peri-urban buffer for Kiambu, is developed with useful amenities. Southerly heading the ecology is continually semi-arid and the countryside more desolate.

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A Guide to Machakos County

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About Machakos Way Back When

45 Destinations in Machakos County , arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then north - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:

Makuyu Ridge , Masinga Dam , Seven Forks Circuit , Mwea National Reserve , Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park , Ol Donyo Sapuk Resort , MacMillan Castle , Fourteen Falls , Yatta Plateau , Kanzalu Range , AIC Kangundo, The Komarock Shrine , Hyena Caves , Kitonga Garden Resort , The Thui Stone , African Heritage House , Athi-Kapiti Conservancy , Kwa Kyelu Wildlife Sanctuary , The Whistling Moran, Stony-Athi , Small World Country Club , Swara Plains Conservancy , Lukenya Hills , Kikao Camping Farm , Lukenya Motocross , Maanzoni Sanctuary , Amazing Kenya Retreat , Chumvi Tamu Camp, Konza Technopolis , Machakos Peoples Park , Masaku Flea and Curio Market , Old Fort of Machakos , Gelian Hotel , Kiima Kimwe , Machakos Golf Course , Mua Hills , Mua Hills Tented Camp , Iveti Forest Reserve , AIC Mumbuni , Kituluni Hill , Kamuthanga Farm , Wamunyu Handicrafts

Know More About Machakos County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like in Machakos?

Climate in much of the area is pleasant and similar to that of Nairobi, with temperature varying between 18 o C and 29 o C. And, rain is heaviest in March, April and September.

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.16?

Machakos County has rather unique topographical map – Hills and a small plateau in the mid area, a large plateau elevated in the south, and isolated hillscape in the north.

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