Aman from Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu county has left many residents confounded after he single-handedly landscaped his compound, turning it into a tourist attraction site.

John Kamau, alias Mathiaka, a watchman at Martyrs of Uganda Gatundu Catholic church, has turned his compound into an attraction using his meagre earnings leaving professional landscapers in awe. 

Mathiaka has never stepped into a landscaping or architectural class, but he has managed to professionalise his craft, attracting all sorts of praise from local tourists.

“I have not been to a single design or beautification class. I have learned everything I know about landscaping through trial and error,” he says.

The aging man’s designs, which he started working on six years ago has seen many travel from far and wide to have a glimpse of his self-made irresistible phenomenon.

Driven by passion

“I came to have a look of this compound. It’s well decorated with colourful aspects of modern design. The muddy house is a museum by itself,” Vatican Chege, a local tourist said.

Driven by passion and absolute dedication, Mathiaka spends his nights at work and part of the day trying out new landscaping techniques and styles.

In what many would hardly think of, Mathiaka matched his shanty house to the modernly designed compound, turning it into an irresistible wonder.

At the compound’s entrance, one is welcomed by a spectacular view of fresh flowers and well-maintained grass compound before catching a glimpse of the muddy, collapsing house where Mathiaka lives and has brought up his children.

He told Boma that he started crafting his compound years after building the shanty house. “I really thank God that I have managed to beautify my compound without borrowing. I have been keen to own a compound just like the one at State House,” he explains.

He said that while landscapers have been visiting his home, what matters most is his innovativeness and seriousness in making designs that stand out.

Using old wires, Mathiaka is able to shape the nature of his desired marvel.

Mathiaka, who advises young people to utilise their originality and creativity to make a living, hopes to perfect his expertise and popularise the wonder to start making money out of it.

He said that he has never marketed or worked for anyone in the village, but hopes to monetise his great ideas to better his old age.

At 58, he promises to pass on his notable skills to willing youngsters as a way of giving back to his community.

John Kamau Gitau, his son, appreciates what his father has been doing.  

He says he is ready to take on the responsibility of beautifying their home and the village at large.

“We get overwhelmed whenever people visit our home and start capturing endless photos. This has left our family encouraged to do more,” he said.