From pitching tents to the sought-after events planner

Odhiambo Johnmark, the man behind Events by Supertrix.[Courtesy] When torrential rain swept away the tents, decorations, and food at a 2019 wedding reception at the Kericho Golf Club, many thought the day was ruined. But for Odhiambo Johnmark, the man behind Events by Supertrix, it was just another opportunity to show what resilience and creativity could achieve. "We had to reassemble, reorganise, and redirect the setup within hours. It was chaos, but we delivered. That day tested every skill I had learnt since 2009," says Johnmark. Now the founder and executive director of one of Kenya's most trusted event planning firms, Odhiambo's journey started as a manual labourer installing tents. With over 10 years of experience and five years running his own company, Johnmark has built Events by Supertrix into a brand known for flawless weddings, vibrant corporate activations, and emotionally resonant cultural and funeral ceremonies across Kericho, Bomet, Nairobi, Mombasa, and beyond. Johnmark credits his early inspiration to his upbringing and community involvement. "I grew up organising church and community functions like the Jamii Moja concert and Usafi Mtaani clean-up drives. Seeing how events bring people together inspired me to pursue this path," he says. Johnmark credits his hands-on experience from 2015 to 2018-handling logistics and working with established companies-with laying the foundation for his business. "I learnt the value of punctuality, budget discipline, and above all, the power of customer satisfaction," he says. Founded in 2019, Events by Supertrix started small. With personal savings, microloans, and a few rented charger plates and napkins, Johnmark began offering services while relying on freelancers and a lot of faith. "I started alone, but I had a vision of delivering personalised, creative, and quality-driven events," he says. The early days weren't easy. Hiring equipment was costly and unreliable. "Vendors would deliver late, or worse-bring broken or dirty chairs. Sometimes, we paid full amounts upfront and still got poor service," says Johnmark But the Kericho businessman overcame those obstacles by slowly building his inventory and training a dedicated team. Today, Events by Supertrix handles everything from luxury weddings to large-scale government and institutional functions. "We've never repeated a design. No copy-paste. Every event is unique," says Johnmark. His most memorable event? A 2025 Valentine's Day initiative that brought together 345 children from four orphanages, supplying them with food and essentials for six months. "That day reminded me why we do what we do-to uplift lives," says Johnmark. Johnmark revealed that what drives him during challenging times isn't just business, but a purpose. "My faith, my mother's values, and the joy we bring clients keep me grounded. Also, understanding that while clients are always right, not every client is right for you," he says. Johnmark advised the next generation of planners to start small, offer voluntary work, ask questions and be consistent. "Success in this industry isn't about starting big-it's about starting smart," he says. Looking forward, Johnmark says he plans to expand into more counties, establish a training academy for young planners, and even branch into virtual event production. "In five years, I see us running a dedicated event centre and helping others learn this craft," he says. As the events landscape in Kenya evolves, Johnmark and Events by Supertrix remain a beacon of what passion, persistence, and people-first planning can achieve. "Success to me isn't just about beautiful decor or perfect lighting. It's about creating memories, building community, and transforming lives-one event at a time," he says.

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