When Benard Wanjohi crossed into Burundi on New Year’s Eve in 1999, he carried little more than a job offer and a quiet determination to build something of his own. Benard Wanjohi: Kenyan Man Turns Nyama Choma Side Hustle into Thriving Hotel Abroad Source: UGC More than two decades later, he has transformed a humble roadside nyama choma hustle into a thriving hotel business in Bugarama, becoming one of the longest-serving Kenyans in the country. How Wanjohi relocated to Burundi During an interview with Alex Chamwada on Daring Abroad, the Kenyan entrepreneur disclosed that he had been recruited from Kenya to work for a milling company. But even in those early days, he saw the role as temporary and had a clear plan about getting into business. “When I arrived here, I already knew I would work for a few years and start a business,” he recalls. While holding onto his formal employment, Wanjohi began a small side venture roasting meat by the roadside. Benard Wanjohi: Kenyan Man Turns Nyama Choma Side Hustle into Thriving Hotel Abroad
How Wanjohi got into business It was modest, but it marked the beginning of a disciplined journey defined by careful saving and reinvestment. He quickly realised that Burundi’s relatively low cost of living allowed him to stretch his earnings further than he could back home. With time, he saved enough to purchase land in Bugarama, a quieter setting away from the bustle of the capital. What followed was a steady and deliberate expansion of his ambitions. Each profit made was channelled back into building something bigger. How big is Wanjohi’s hotel? READ ALSO Kelvin Kiarie: Award-winning skater says he used matatu to JKIA due to limited funds Years of persistence have now paid off. Wanjohi owns a fully-fledged hotel with 24 rooms, complete with a conference facility capable of hosting events. His current achievement is a stark contrast to his early days by the roadside fire, roasting meat for passers-by. By combining patience, financial discipline, and a long-term vision, Wanjohi has built a life and business far from home, one that continues to grow with each passing year. Today, having lived in Burundi for 26 years and becoming fluent in the local language, he is as much a part of the community as he is a visitor who never quite left. Reached for comment, Chamwada told TUKO.co.ke that over time, Wanjohi’s family relocated and joined him in Burundi.
