Windfall for carpenter Stephen Odhiambo as DP Ruto buys now popular benches

Stephen Odhiambo and Dennis Otieno are carpenters operating on Ngong’ Road, Nairobi, who gained public attention after a video posted online of their multipurpose garden seat went viral last week.

The seat, or bench, accommodates three persons but when extended takes up to six people facing each other complete with a table.

Since the video made it to the internet, the two received over 700 offers from Kenyans interested in the seat.

The two, it seems, may now have to add a couple more orders to the ones they already have, only this time not just from any ordinary Kenyan but Deputy President William Ruto himself.

DP Ruto on Friday met the two at his Karen office where the innovation piqued his interest and so he made a few orders of his own.

“Tunatengenezanga ya watu watatu ile ya kawaida, lakini tuliona tudesign hii iwe inabeba watu sita. Sasa ndio tulijaribu tukakaa chini wiki kama moja tukichorachora mpaka ikaingiana,” Mr. Otieno told the DP.

The duo told the DP that they sell the seat at a cost of Ksh.22,000 to “ordinary Kenyans” but “for a hustler like yourself, we will give you a good deal.”

They initially suggest Ksh.50,000 per seat but DP Ruto eventually agrees to buy five of them at a total cost of Ksh.150,000; hence Ksh.30,000 each.

However, because they had only brought two seats during the meet, the DP says he will give the artisans Ksh.100,000 and the balance of Ksh.50,000 when they deliver the other three next week.

The DP described Mr. Odhiambo and Mr. Otieno as “enterprising Kenyans with innovative ideas on garden furniture” adding that he was “thrilled by their cutting-edge skills and efforts.”

“I pray to God through the Son of the Carpenter from Nazareth to bless the work of their hands,” he stated.

I pray to God through the Son of the Carpenter from Nazareth to bless the work of their hands. Their dreams are valid. Karen office, Nairobi County. pic.twitter.com/SeG82blxH2

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 26, 2020