Bramwell Bushuru is a trained Air Traffic Controller with over 22 years of experience in the Aviation industry.
Born in Eldoret and raised in Trans Nzoia and Kitale, Bramwell would never have imagined that one day he would be the only Kenyan living on the remote St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
His niche facilitated the life-changing opportunity; to be the officer in charge at St. Helena Airport, the only airport on the Island.
St. Helena Island is a British Overseas territory. It is a remote volcanic outpost in the South Atlantic Ocean, encompassed by the Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Islands.
Bramwell Bushuru arrived at St. Helena Island in 2016 after the Island’s government contracted him during the launch of St. Helena Airport. His family joined him in 2022.
Bushuru started working in the aviation sector in 1999 after completing studies at the East Africa School of Aviation.
He worked in various cities in Kenya, such as Nairobi, Eldoret and Kitale, before an opportunity to work in Germany presented itself in 2005.
He worked in Germany from 2005 to 2010. When South Africa was hosting the FIFA 2010 World Cup, they needed more hands on deck at the Air Traffic Control. Bramwell Bushuru was among the international ATCs recruited.
He continued working in South Africa until 2016, when he moved to St. Helena.
Living on St. Helena Island
Bramwell Bushuru lives on the island with his wife Sarah and their son Asa. They live in Jamestown.
In a land with a population of 4,300 people, Bramwell takes pride in acknowledging he and his family fly the Kenyan flag high. He says it is easy to know everyone and where they hail from because of the small population.
“St. Helena has a small population of about 4,000 people, technically people know each other and they are very friendly people,” he said in an interview with Chams Media.
“You don’t need to lock your car or fear being mugged. There are no estates secluded for the rich based on race/status, anyone can live anywhere. It is a place like no other, the geography, the terrain, the culture and the systems.”
The island is, without a doubt, a dream destination for millions of tourists and adventurers. Bramwell notes that there is a false notion; that visiting the island is expensive because of its beautiful scenery and sandy beaches, but that isn’t the case.
Since Bramwell started living in St. Helena Island in 2016, he says he hasn’t bumped into any Kenyan tourists. However, he notes that he’s been told Kenyans were living on the Island and working as teachers before his arrival on the island.
“I was told there were other Kenyans before I came, but I can’t remember their names. Since my arrival, it’s been me and my family. I have never seen a Kenyan tourist coming to visit,” he said.
The logistics of accessing St. Helena Island can be very challenging due to its location. The focal point of access is South Africa, either by cruise ship or plane.
Travelling on a cruise ship from Cape Town can take about 6 days, while a flight can take about 4 hours.
St. Helena Airport was opened in 2016, but the first-ever commercial flight touched down on October 2017. Travelling from Kenya to St. Helena, one has to take a connecting flight at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Commercial flights into the island from South Africa fly in only once a week. This is because only one flight company, Airlink, is licensed to provide transport to the island.
However, if you cannot fit into the flight schedule, you may have to charter a private plane for transport, which may be costlier.
READ: How Nairobi man lost chance to move to US despite winning Green Card
Bushuru notes that there have been tense moments in his line of work dealing with aircraft due to the harsh weather conditions. But his technical expertise and professionalism have seen him handle all pressurizing moments safely.
Leading on St. Helena Island
Bramwell is an easy-to-get-along-with kind of person. He is loved by citizens and has made friends with many people and high-status individuals on the island.
They include the governor, Nigel Phillips and the entire cabinet, which consists of five ministers.
A multi-talented individual, Bushuru not only excels in the aviation sector but also holds the highly esteemed position of captain of St. Helena’s Golf Club. He was voted into this position in 2018, and he has been re-elected every year.
In addition, he has been the vice chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee since November 2022.
No Covid in St. Helena
Surprisingly, Bramwell revealed that during the world’s Covid-19 Pandemic, St. Helena was not affected. No life was lost due to Covid 19.
“The Island has been lucky. As far as I know, we haven’t had any lives lost because of Covid,” he remarked.
The remoteness and the small population of the Island proved to be their greatest strength during the world’s most challenging period of the 21st century.
Airlink transport stopped flying to the Island because of international lockdown protocols.