Simon Beja Kenga

Gardener / Artisan

Simon was born and raised in Kirepwe Island. Growing up on the  island, the water was always a big part of his life. He would enjoy sitting on a mangrove branch looking at school of fish swimming in and out of the creek with the tide. He dreamed of becoming a boat captain. He took up fishing, and soon became quite a skilled fisherman, mastering a range of fishing techniques.

Simon joined A Rocha Kenya in 2014. He is employed as a gardener, and also helps with fixing broken things around the centre as well as assisting with marine expeditions and coral monitoring. When the marine team got a boat, he was trained to pilot it – his dream come true!

In 2019, he completed his PADI open water training; one step more in his marine career!

He’s also passionate about bees and honey, producing his own delicious mangrove honey!