On a quiet stretch of land in Sega, Siaya County, lawyer Steve Ogolla has built nine identical houses — each one designed, painted, and furnished in the same way.
To the casual observer, it might look like an architectural experiment, but for Ogolla, the project is deeply personal — a statement of family unity, humility, and gratitude.
Steve Ogolla’s journey began far from the comfortable life he lives today. Raised in a modest home in Siaya, his story mirrors that of many Kenyans who fight their way out of poverty through education and perseverance.
As the youngest in his family, he was supported by his mother and elder siblings through school. Years later, when he had achieved success as one of the country’s top lawyers and legal analysts, he felt a strong pull to return home — not just to give back, but to restore dignity to the family that had shaped him.
“Does it make sense to have a mansion in the city while my brothers live in semi-permanent structures?” he reflected during a recent interview. “The idea was to uplift everyone, not just myself.”
Ogolla’s homestead is a carefully planned estate of nine houses, all constructed to look exactly alike. Each one mirrors the other — from the architectural design to the roofing style, the gate colours to the landscaping.
There is no ‘main house’ or ‘guest wing.’ Instead, the compound is an arrangement of equals. His mother’s house, the first to be built, stands at the heart of the property — the emotional anchor of the project — surrounded by identical homes for his siblings and their families.
He estimates the entire project cost around Sh 30 million, an investment that includes a perimeter wall, solar street lighting, cabro paving, and a long palm-lined driveway. But beyond the money, Ogolla says the project’s value lies in its message.
“The construction here was never about show. It was about restoring dignity, unity, and peace in the family,” he said.
For Ogolla, equality wasn’t just symbolic — it was practical. He wanted to ensure that no one house stood out as better or lesser.
Each home is a modest but elegant three-bedroom unit, built with uniform fittings and finishes. The houses were designed by local architects and built by workers from the area, blending modern standards with Luo cultural layout traditions.
In Luo homesteads, the parents’ house traditionally faces the gate, while sons’ houses are arranged around it in a specific pattern. Ogolla respected this tradition, giving the project both cultural authenticity and contemporary harmony.
He also made sure to involve family members in decision-making, ensuring that everyone felt included. His mother, now beaming with pride, often welcomes visitors to the estate with joy.
Kenyan social media lit up when photos and drone shots of the identical homes first appeared online. Many were struck by the symmetry and beauty of the compound — but even more by the values it represented.
Ogolla has said that when his mother walks around the homestead, she often smiles in silence — perhaps because she understands what those houses truly mean. “This is not about showing off,” Ogolla explained. “It’s about ensuring my family has dignity — that my mother can sleep peacefully, knowing her children are comfortable.”
While the identical homes have made Ogolla a viral figure, his broader story is one of faith, humility, and principle. He represents a new generation of Kenyan professionals using success to inspire rather than intimidate.