Bwana Kheri (born in the 1810s) was a Swahili long-distance caravan trader who lived in present day Mombasa.
In April 1848, before setting out on his first journey, Rebmann was warned by the governor of Mombasa, that he " must not asced the mountain kilimajaro, because it was full of jins (evil spirtits).
[4] When Rebmann first viewed the top on May 11 from a distance, Bwana Kheri, who was with him as a guide and guardian, only described the white material as "beredi," or "cold."
[5] Later that year, during his second journey, Rebmann stopped in Machame and found that the Chagga were aware that Kibo snow heated by fire turned into water, that they understood its nature and properties, and that rivers emanated from it.
He also showed the Swhaili that the white covering could not be made of silver because it changed color with the seasons, and Bwana Kheri was persuaded, responding that the Chagga would not purchase lead armlets from caravans for this reason.