Under the modest shelter of a veranda in Kericho town, surrounded by brushes, recycled materials, and bursts of vibrant color, 51-year-old artist Polycarp Otieno Ochieng is quietly transforming lives, one at a time.
Born in 1973 in Kenya’s Nyanza region, Ochieng has dedicated nearly three decades to perfecting the art of creative recycling and since 1996, he has built a thriving career in painting, design, face painting, and crafting customized stamps and stickers s proudly displayed at his open-air jua kali workshop in the heart of Kericho.
He revealed that his journey began with almost nothing, collecting and selling scrap metal to for a meagre pay that barely sustained him.
However, after years of hardship and persistence, he discovered the potential to turn the very materials he once sold into creative, marketable products, ultimately building a sustainable livelihood from what others had discarded.
After launching his career in Nairobi, Ochieng later relocated to Kericho bringing with him not just artistic talent, but a clear vision to create, teach, and uplift others.
Today, his modest enterprise has grown into a source of inspiration and income for several local youths, who have found both opportunity and purpose through his simple yet impactful art and craft.
In an interview with the Kenya News Agency (KNA), Ochieng shared that he sources his materials from unconventional places, like the dump sites where he collects discarded items such as used Perspex, conveyor belts, and scrap machine parts.
“Nothing goes to waste. I utilize most trashed items by recycling them into valuable masterpieces, and through that I earn a decent living and I am very fulfilled,” he said.
But Ochieng’s work extends beyond functionality. His artistic creations include expressive posters, decorative designs, and custom artwork that have found popularity in schools, churches, shops, vehicles, and among boda boda riders seeking to personalize their spaces.
“I also make mud flaps for cars and motorcycles, not only to protect vehicles from mud and stones but also to add a bit of beauty to the roads of Kericho,” Ochieng added.
Despite the success of his venture, Ochieng acknowledges the challenges faced by artisans like him and urged the government to support grassroots entrepreneurship through financial assistance, trade fairs, cultural exhibitions, and better infrastructure.
“We work under verandas, exposed to sun and rain. It’s tough, but the advantage is that it also keeps us connected to our customers,” he noted.
On a good day, Ochieng revealed that he earns up to Sh3,000, a testament to the resilience and determination that define his journey, highlighting the often-overlooked potential of small-scale entrepreneurs who thrive despite limited resources.
His message to Kenyan youth is simple but powerful: “Don’t see the jua kali sector as a last resort, it can be a strong beginning. You can start with little, and with hard work, you can go anywhere,” remarked Ochieng.
As the paint dries on his latest canvas, Polycarp Otieno continues to prove that with creativity and perseverance, even a humble veranda can become a foundation for success and inspiration.
