Kennedy Were – general manager Ol Tukai Lodge

What inspired you to join the hospitality industry?

I joined Kenya Utalii College by chance and studied hotel management, and it has been quite a journey after college.

I had the privilege of working with some of the  best brands in East Africa; from town hotels, beach resorts, tented camps and safari lodges in senior management roles. 

What do you love about your job?

I love being of service to the community,  my guests, my colleagues and business owners. The responsibility is huge, but the challenges make it more exciting

Speaking of challenges, name some that make your job exciting

All our guests are unique and all have different sets of expectations. The ability to make them happy and offer value for money requires me to anticipate their needs, be creative in offering tailor-made solutions and in return win their loyalty. That’s the challenging bit, but I love it. 

What is it about your host Amboseli National Park that’s different from other destinations? 

It is a place of wild beauty rich with water springs filling up the swamp, which is the lifeline of this amazing ecosystem.

It also has the best game viewing experience. In fact, it one of the best in Africa and it’s the best place to watch elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro at the backdrop.

The rich cultural history of the Maasai people and the conservation story is something that guests always want to hear too. 

What are some of the challenges facing the destination?

Climate change is a real threat as over the years we have witnessed the changes in plants and animal distribution.

We have noticed disrupted rainfall patterns, increased wildlife numbers and population increase has led to human-wildlife conflict  due to competition for limited resources and the shrinking space.

How do these conflicts affect tourism?

The Maa people around Amboseli view tourism as a resource that add value to the community and as such, there need for a balance that ensures there is no disruption  to tourism activities and community needs and wishes  are also catered for. 

There needs to be harmony between conservation and community interests.