Situated at the intersection of Meru National Park and the Borana grazing lands, the Malka Bisanadi Cultural Centre offers a unique cultural experience far from typical resort stays. Instead of modern hotel amenities, visitors stay in traditional grass-thatched huts known as manyattas, immersing themselves in the pastoral lifestyle of the Borana community.
Immersive Cultural Experience
Co-founder and vice chair Hussein Gonjobe explains that guests are drawn to the centre to live the Borana way of life. Activities include sleeping in traditional huts, tasting indigenous dishes prepared from locally grown produce, learning about pastoral customs, and purchasing handcrafted souvenirs. The honeymoon suite, Minn Arossa, is constructed following age-old techniques using sticks, grass, and acacia bark ropes.
Each hut is built by women, preserving traditional skills and reinforcing community roles. The centre accommodates up to 70 guests, charging Sh2,000 per bed per night inclusive of meals.
Community-led Initiative and Economic Impact
Founded in 2008 by unemployed youth from Guba Dida Village, who pooled Sh50,000 to build the first huts, the centre was designed to encourage tourists to engage with the Borana culture rather than just pass through to the national park. By 2012, paying visitors began arriving, turning traditional artefacts into valuable cultural souvenirs.
Gonjobe highlights that while the centre's revenue, approximately Sh140,000 at full capacity, may be modest compared to mainstream hospitality, it represents a vital income source and a shift from a livestock-dependent economy. The diversification into horticulture, supported by development partners, has been essential for sustainability in this arid region.
Social Cohesion and Challenges
The community maintains a clear division of roles: men oversee maintenance, security, and infrastructure, while women focus on meal preparation and hut construction. This structure has strengthened social bonds and preserved indigenous craftsmanship.
Despite early skepticism and financial hardships, the founders persevered. Challenges such as wildlife damage to crops persist, yet the income generated has empowered families to afford education and household needs.
Partnerships and Growth
Support from organisations like Heifer International has enhanced enterprise skills and expanded market opportunities for the centre. Both Gonjobe and co-founder Makai Mamo emphasize that patience and resilience are key to growing a successful community business.
