Kepha Mutugi
Some friends in the community introduced me to slalom when I was 18 years old. I did two days in the slalom club than had to go away because of school. After finishing school Sammy and Glenn got me into white water kayaking. They taught me and I ended up being a photo boater. Eventually, with some more training from Sammy, Glenn, and Savage Wilderness, I ended up getting a job with Savage Wilderness and being the youngest guide. I love kayaking and I especially love rafting. I love it when you get a good line down a rapid and screaming of excitement you receive from the clients.
One of my favorite achievements was paddling the ‘Lower Tana’ (Grade 4/5) for the first time back in 2019 during the Tana River Festival!
Idris Juma
Originally from Western Kenya, I came to the Sagana region due to football. I saw Mark Savage on the river rafting with a safety kayaker with him. I was very fascinated by the kayaker. So I decided to make a wooden kayak paddle, use one of the old slalom BA’s, but no helmet! Paddling a section of the Tana, mostly swimming. I came across Kris Collyer who was working for ’Savage Wilderness’ he taught me how to paddle. Since then I have become a guide at ’Savage Wilderness’ not only teaching kayaking and guiding rafting. I have also become a guide on Mt Kenya, Mountain Biking, and other outdoor activities. You would love to know that now I am wearing the correct equipment.
I love when I take rafting clients surfing in ‘Fish Eye’ rapid on the Tana and trying to ‘dump truck’ or get a vertical flip.
Daniel Chomba (Batister)
When I was in primary school I got introduced to slalom by Titus. Titus helped me get into slalom and we were training near the ‘Savage Wilderness’ camp. We held a competition at the camp to compete for some places to travel to South Africa. I won my category K1, and I was able to travel to South Africa to compete. Savage Wilderness employed me as a member of there maintenance team. From there I progressed on becoming a guide for Savage Wilderness. The team at Savage helped me become a coach and start to deliver a range of activities.
2015 Tana River Festival, Francis and I won the best Kenyan paddler category. We were invited to go and compete in the
Nile River Festival. An amazing experience and a highlight in my time in paddling, going down those big waves, and spending a lot of time upside down.
What I enjoy the most in rafting is having a good line down ’Sphincter Flexor’ and staying dry!
Win Adventure Trips in Kenya!
Check out Savage Wilderness 'Ultimate Kayak Raffle' for a chance to win a variety of adventure trips in Kenya! Prizes range from multi-day kayaking expeditions, Mount Kenya hiking journeys, mountain bike voyages, and much more! All proceeds from the raffle go to support the local guides & staff of Savage Wilderness that have been without income for the past three months due to the current pandemic worldwide. Get more details here.
Want To Know More?
If you'd like to know more, follow Kepha, Idris, and Daniel on their social media feeds.
Kepha | Facebook & Instagram
Idris Juma | Facebook & Instagram
Daniel Chomba | Facebook & Instagram
Go here if you'd like more information on the Tana River Festival, Savage Wilderness, or The Nile River Festival.
