For the last three decades, Mohammed Kinyua, a Class Eight leaver, has been offering guided mountain tours to hikers climbing Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Elgon, Mt Rwenzori and the Aberdare ranges. Mohamed started as a porter carrying luggage for climbers, but he now owns a trekking company in Nanyuki that hires out hiking equipment and provides professional mountain climbing services to local and international tourists.
You began your career as a porter. How did you get to where you are?
After two years, I was promoted to a mountain guide, but left employment in 1998 to start my own business known as the Mohakin Climbers. This was after an American friend I had met during one of the hikes offered to build a company website for me for free.
By the time I quit employment, I had worked for 20 companies, but I had nothing to show for it because the jobs were all temporary.
Was it hard to go out on your own after working for so many companies?
I did this for years, until I accumulated enough stock. Currently, my business can lease hiking gear to up to 100 travelers. Besides hiring equipment, I also employ mountain guides, porters, drivers and chefs. Our activities include safaris to some of the country’s famous national parks, and trekking to the mountains of East Africa which include Mt Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Elgon and the Aberdare Ranges.
At the company, what role do you play?
From your experience, what makes a good mountain guide?
Who forms the majority of your client base?
Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Rwenzori have recently attracted many researchers because of their melting glaciers as a result of climate change. Locally, my clients are young people who travel in groups, and worshippers who visit the mountain for prayers.
What is the highlight of your career as a mountain guide?
In an era where everything is going digital and the world is battling the environmental effects of global warming, what do you think is the next frontier in this occupation?
The one thing I am worried about is climate change. The changing weather pattern has really affected mountaineering because there are no longer low and high seasons. Previously, everyone knew that the dry seasons fell on the months of January to March and August to October. But now, it is so hard to predict the high seasons.
Would you advise one to venture into this profession?
