HUSTLE MAG MARCH 2020 FINAL

FEATURE
Giving back to mother nature
Timothy Simiyu has built a thriving business out of a ranch
By Supram Goswami for Hustle East
Africa
Nestled in the leafy suburbs
of Karen, Achis Ranch blends
seamlessly with the lush green
vegetation of the Karen landscape.
The ranch offers horse
and camel riding lessons, and visitors
get a chance to ride quad bikes. Given its
prime location, and the fact that it’s set up
in a small forest, Achis is a polular picnic
site and entertainment joint, especially
for revellers who prefer to connect with
nature.
Most prefer the serene and quiet environment
to the hustle and bustle of the
city. Its not hard to see why it’s one of the
most sought after wedding venues.
Timothy Simiyu, 36, runs the expansive
ranch. A secondary school drop out, Simiyu
has built the expansive ranch, together
with the nearby Achis stables, through
sweat, perseverance and hard work.
He first came to Nairobi 16 years ago
soon after dropping out of school.
“I moved from Kitale to Nairobi in
search of a job,” he says.
Although he regrets dropping out of
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HUSTLE EAST AFRICA
Timothy Simiyu.
school, moving to Nairobi set him up on
an entrepreneurship path.
After settling at his uncle’s place in
Karen, Simiyu took up jobs as a gardener.
Because he was hardworking and honest,
it didn’t take him long before his exceptional
gardening work got noticed by his
next door neighbour, a ranch owner who
operated a stable.
“I was fascinated by horses and camels.
In my free time, I could volunteer at the
ranch where I learnt more about horses
and camels.”
Seeing his enthusiasm, the ranch owner
could tag him along whenever he had
outdoor jobs at the nearby Carnivore
restaurant. Its here that he got some
lessons in camel and horse riding. Other