Ever wondered how a building could embody the struggle against slavery and the dawn of Christianity in East Africa? That is Leven House. This isn’t just another historical building. Leven House is a priceless gem. It stands proudly in the heart of Mombasa’s Old Town.
Leven House served as a crucial base. British soldiers were housed here in 1824. Their mission was to combat the slave trade. But Leven House witnessed more than just the fight against slavery. The Mazrui dynasty briefly resisted the Sultan of Zanzibar from here.
The Sultan’s power was extensive then. His territories once included all of present-day Kenya and Zanzibar. Imagine the tension. In 1837 the Sultan of Zanzibar took control. Leven House then became home to Ludwig Krapf. He was the first German Missionary. Krapf is credited with publishing the first Swahili dictionary. Think about that.
The polished wooden stairs whisper stories. They hint at the challenges Krapf and his wife faced. Accessing the upper rooms was difficult in their old age. Leven House got its name from a British naval survey ship. HMS Leven docked here in 1824. The National Museums of Kenya confirms this.
Historical accounts reveal more. The Mazrui dynasty enticed the British soldiers. They wanted them to live here. The Mazruis were battling the Sultan of Zanzibar. They fought for control of the Kenyan coast.
In 1844 Krapf rented Leven House. Abdulswamad Ali shared this detail. He is the head of Mombasa Old Town Conservation Office. Krapf would ride a donkey from here to Rabai. There he built the first Anglican Church of Kenya.
Leven House overlooks the old port. It is near the Krapf Memorial Site. Krapf buried his wife and daughter there. Rosine Dietrich Kraft died in July 1844. His daughter was only two days old. Both were initially buried at Mkomani. Krapf threw himself into learning Kiswahili. He then wrote a dictionary. It was published later in 1892.
Leven House symbolizes resistance to the slave trade. A naval force led by Lt James Emery established an anti-slaving base here. Hundreds of slaves were freed by this force. Its location near Mackinon Market made it ideal. This was the main slave and ivory auction center.
Emery even built a secret tunnel. It ran beneath Mombasa Island. He kept his patrol boat there. He used it to stop slaves from leaving Mombasa.
Later part of Leven House became a warehouse. In 1936 it was auctioned to Valji Bhanji. The Pujura family then bought it in 1936. In 1991 Leven House was declared a national monument. This was part of Mombasa’s Old Town conservation. The NMK acquired it in 1997.
Today Leven House stands as a testament. It embodies resilience and cultural fusion. It is a reminder of the struggles and triumphs. It is a landmark in Mombasa’s rich history.