I live among trees to blend in with nature

The “space shuttle (a Nissan body suspended a top a tree used as a living room) house which provides accommodation for visitors to the park.The park is located 62 kilometers from Eldoret and 95 kilometers from Nakuru and five kilometers from the Eldoret-Nakuru highway. Photo by ELIUD KIPSANG

To most people, deadwood is only useful as firewood or waste material but not Nickson Koimur.

Koimur, who is passionate about conserving trees, uses deadwood to make unique products. So passionate is he about this that he spends money to buy deadwood from villagers who would otherwise use it as firewood or charcoal. He then uses this wood to make household items.

His style of conservation is unique in that he has elected to live in a tree house and set up other structures where he hosts visitors coming to his ‘Koimur Amazement Park’.

“My decision to live on top of a tree is because I want to blend nature with mankind. My home is a jewel in the woods and I want to celebrate the manifestation and gift of nature,” Koimur told us when we toured his tree home in Ainbkoi, Uasin Gishu.

After going up the tree through an attractive staircase, one gets into a fascinating interior that has a collection of wood-art including unique coffee tables, mirrors, TV and corner stands as well as vases. The tree’s old trunk and branches have been left intact and are all part of the unique decor.

“I came up with the idea of constructing my tree-house after investigating creations like birds that live on trees. My house is just like a nest,” he said.

Next to his ‘nest’ is a ‘bonfire bush’ which is also a tree structure with space where guests can be served food and drinks. Koimur refers to this spot as an ‘oracle’ where a person can find direct connection with nature.

For accommodation, he offers a unique experience with well designed living space on the ‘space shuttle’ - which is a special setting where the shell of a vehicle has been suspended a top a tree.  It is ideal for visitors who love the countryside and one can book ahead to reserve nights in the unique environment.

“We have received a number of institutions who come and view the park’s creativity. We also give talks on conservation and how we can celebrate nature through artistic wood designs,” he says.

The 36-year-old also has a workshop where he specialises in making interior decoration knick-knacks, unique coffee tables, mirrors, TV and corner stands as well as vases.

He says his next project is to set up a tree sanctuary in the park where visitors can plant an indigenous tree species of their choice as a way to mark their birthdays.

This, he says, will encourage environmental conservation efforts because they will be visiting the park annually to oversee growth progress.