Idi

The person who gives Mkoko its rhythm

Idi is the house manager at Mkoko, and an amazing cook. He makes Mkoko House welcoming, the days feel easy, and the food highlights the best of locally-available ingredients.

He lives next door at Happy Man House, and is always close by when guests need him — arranging meals, helping with boats, keeping the house running, or simply sharing what he knows about life on Manda and Lamu.

Idi holding a freshly caught fish among the trees beside Mkoko on Manda Island

Happy Man House

Just next door is Happy Man House, where Idi lives.

The simple path between the two homes means he is always nearby: in the kitchen in the morning, on the beach arranging fish, or ready to help with whatever the day needs.

Happy Man House, Idi's home next door to Mkoko, with a shaded daybed beneath acacia trees
The painted wooden gate of Happy Man House, under bougainvillea and acacia branches
Idi, the house's caretaker, makes guests at Mkoko feel right at home and his food is, hands down, the BEST we had in one week in Lamu!
Priya P.Tripadvisor

Meals, help & ease

You are not simply renting a beautiful house

Days here are shaped by Idi as much as by the house itself: breakfast under the trees, fish brought back from the sea, or a hand with getting somewhere.

If you would like meals cooked, boats arranged, or simply to be left alone under the trees, say so when you enquire. The days will be made to work the way you want them to.

Idi resting in a hammock on the timber deck of the treehouse at Mkoko