Benaiah Odhiambo- Man on a Mission

Slight of build and softly spoken, Benaiah Odhiambo’s calm manner belies his busy job, a juggling act that involves overseeing Segera’s 50,000-acre wilderness, its wildlife, personnel, and over 2,000 cattle - set to grow to 4,500 in the next few years.

Commencing his professional journey as an Administrative Manager overseeing logistics a decade ago, subsequent roles in Administration, Human Resources, and Operations have collectively shaped the groundwork for his current, multifaceted position. His ability to wear several hats at once becomes clear, as our interview is punctuated by phone and radio calls from the anti-poaching ranger team with patrol updates, and Segera’s female ranger academy trainers reporting the latest cohort’s progress.

“This is a 24/7 job. It’s very demanding and you must know how to balance all the work variables at play. The conservation side, livestock, personnel, community, and your family. I’ve seen passionate people join us and leave after a few days. Dedication and a love for the job are a must,” he adds.

Half of Benaiah’s work day is structured - assigning duties in the morning - and the rest of his time is more fluid, reacting to security, ongoing projects, and adapting to community needs. He thrives on the challenge of not knowing what each day will bring but acknowledges that building operations on a solid base, guided by the 4Cs, is of paramount importance.

“The Long Run, founded by Jochen Zeitz, has grown into one of the most important sustainable travel movements. The 4Cs – community, culture, conservation, and commerce are the pillars that help us run a healthy habitat on Segera,” Benaiah says proudly.

“The world is like a human being and has to be healthy to function properly. If balanced correctly the 4Cs lead to coexistence and a more peaceful world. Ubuntu (an ancient African word meaning humanity to others) and people are the greatest assets,” he says.

“Conservation is biodiversity, we need a world that is okay for future generations. Culture is beautiful, it defines us and there is joy in appreciating our differences. Commerce, trade, and empowerment help to make life easier and enjoyable, and these combined make it a perfect atmosphere to work in. Guided by the 4Cs, we hope to make the world a better place,” adds Benaiah.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism in Kenya was hit hard, and he had to make tough choices about whether to send staff home, as a result of reduced income or to keep them. Segera chose the latter, keeping on most staff, to support them, albeit with some pay cuts and retirements. “Our community is important; almost everything revolves around it,” says Benaiah.

More widely the pandemic has, he believes, been a big wake-up call “for us all”. It is a wake-up call urging everyone to re-evaluate their choices while emphasizing the imperative to preserve the world for future generations. This highlights the critical role of organizations like The Long Run that advocate for sustainable travel.

Everything here is about balance,” Benaiah explains. Wildlife and cattle coexist at Segera, their symbiotic relationship creating a perfect savannah ecosystem. Cattle act as living lawnmowers and collect parasites from the rangeland (which are then removed by dipping). It ensures a healthy ecosystem, with both wildlife and cattle benefitting from each other.

While Benaiah describes his biggest achievement as “Seeing Segera grow”, he’s grateful that Segera provides an environment that fosters personal development too. “This place has molded me into the person I am today. I feel honored that I’m one of the few local ranch managers in Kenya, and happy to work in a space where people are given opportunities to grow to the next level,” he adds proudly.