For the Want of a Nail
Loisaba Stores
Behind the scenes at Loisaba there is an office and store which has the capacity to make everyone’s life heaven – or indeed hell. Without the Stores Department at Loisaba, the conservancy would simply grind to a halt. Damaris and Martin work hand in hand in the stores endeavouring to keep Loisaba and all of its vehicles and machines on the move. Their work involves sourcing, ordering, and keeping spare parts for all of the vehicles and other equipment that is used by Loisaba. With thirty-six vehicles, mainly Land Rovers, five tractors and a lorry to look after in a rugged and testing environment, there are plenty of parts that can go wrong. Not only that, but twenty-five vehicles also come in from neighbouring conservancies and farms for repairs and maintenance.
Damaris describes herself as a ‘spanner girl’ even though she has a degree in Environmental Science and is currently training to be a Certified Public Accountant as well as studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Human Resources.
“My duties include inventory control using fleet maintenance software to record all issues of spares, lubricants and fuel; everything is accounted for even if it is a small bolt or nut. I also monitor stock levels to try to avoid any deficiencies. I make all the purchases and these are couriered from Nakuru and as far away as Nairobi to Nanyuki for collection on a Thursday” – that’s the day when Moses makes a regular six-hour round trip to Nanyuki to fetch everything that Loisaba needs.
"As with any garage, quotations for external work, and job cards for every job are essential to keep track of costs of both labour and parts. At the end of each month I prepare reports showing the maintenance cost and fuel issued to every vehicle. I also monitor water and generator usage.”
“On the human resources side of things, I manage the booking system for leave and ensure that people with similar skills are not off at the same time; for example I cannot take time off when Martin is away, or Leah, The Operations Officer, for whom I act as relief. I also oversee the First Aid Kit, making sure that it is re-stocked as necessary and administering first aid when necessary. Finally, I maintain the safety data sheets in respect of all of the hazardous substances which are supplied to Loisaba.
Martin is responsible for receiving and giving out spare parts to the workshop and he is qualified at Grade Three and Two in Mechanics which he studied at the Y.M.C.A. College in Thika after working as a butcher for four years and then as a herdsman.
“My job is to notice trends and to anticipate the parts and equipment that will be needed and to make sure that there is a higher stock of items that move fast. Sometimes lead times for different parts can be long, and in the absence of the right part, mechanics may have to improvise. My best days are when I can put my hand straight on the part that is needed; my worst when a computer-managed vehicle comes in because at present Loisaba does not yet have a diagnostic machine. I can also turn my hand to some mechanical repairs and mending punctures – luckily there is a machine for that as many of the tyres are heavy duty off-road tyres made to cope with the rocky conditions.”
"Outside of work, I have a keen interest in the lions at Loisaba, and I also love to watch all he small animals and birds that live around the headquarters. One of his neighbours is a lizard that likes to eat flies, mosquitos and the Narrow bee fly (aka Nairobi fly) which has the capacity to release toxins which can cause dermatitis and blistering." A good friend indeed.
Both Damaris, a Kalenjin, and Martin, a Turkana, came from neighbouring conservancies to work at Loisaba. Loisaba is extremely fortunate to have both of them to keep the wheels turning.
Damaris leaves us with another well-known saying:
* Out of interest, the horses at Loisaba are barefoot and therefore perhaps the battle need not have been lost!
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