A former inmate who once faced the prospect of spending more than a decade behind bars has rebuilt his life into a thriving furniture business generating up to Sh10,000 a day — after discovering a hidden talent for carpentry and upholstery while in prison.
Inside a bustling workshop in Kericho, the sound of buzzing sewing machines, pounding hammers and cutting timber now fills the air as customers inspect polished sofa sets, customised wall units and handcrafted furniture.
At the centre of the growing enterprise is William Ochieng — a soft-spoken craftsman whose remarkable transformation from prisoner to entrepreneur is inspiring many across the region.
Few of the customers walking into his workshop today realise that only a few years ago, Ochieng was serving a lengthy prison sentence and staring at what appeared to be a hopeless future.
Instead of allowing prison life to break him, however, Ochieng chose a different path.
“I told myself that if I ever got another opportunity in life, I wanted to be prepared for it,” he recalled.
That decision would ultimately change the course of his life.
Prison became a turning point
Suddenly separated from his family and the outside world, Ochieng initially struggled with the harsh reality of incarceration.
For many inmates, long prison terms can trigger despair, bitterness and hopelessness.
But for Ochieng, prison became an unlikely classroom.
Determined not to waste his time behind bars, he immersed himself in vocational training programmes, enrolling in practical courses ranging from carpentry and joinery to upholstery, tailoring, masonry and architectural design.
Over the years, he mastered furniture framing, stitching upholstery materials and interpreting construction plans — skills that would later become the foundation of his business empire.
“What started as a way to survive prison slowly became my purpose,” he said.
Prison officers and fellow inmates reportedly began noticing his discipline and dedication as he steadily transformed himself through technical training and faith.
A committed member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ochieng eventually rose to become a church leader within the prison community.
“There were moments when things seemed impossible, but faith kept reminding me that in every situation, God has a purpose,” he explained.
House plan impressed judge during appeal
One of the most dramatic turning points in Ochieng’s rehabilitation journey reportedly came after he designed a detailed architectural house plan using skills acquired in prison.
According to Ochieng, the project was later presented during legal proceedings linked to his appeal.
The work is said to have impressed a judge, who viewed it as evidence of genuine rehabilitation, discipline and personal reform.
Following the appeal process, Ochieng secured his release after serving six years of his sentence and walked out of prison towards the end of 2024.
But freedom brought fresh struggles.
His family had endured years of hardship during his incarceration, while his marriage had collapsed and his wife later died.
Left with the responsibility of rebuilding his life and supporting his children, Ochieng knew he could not afford to fail.
Started with just Sh6,000
Like many former inmates attempting to reintegrate into society, finding employment proved difficult.
Undeterred, Ochieng sought work under an established furniture craftsman in Kericho town, where he spent long hours cutting timber, assembling frames and stitching upholstery materials.
His first earnings included Sh6,000 from furniture work and an additional Sh700 from stitching assignments.
Rather than spending the money, he saved every coin.
The breakthrough came after two customers entrusted him with an order for a seven-seater sofa set worth Sh6,000 — giving him the confidence to launch his own venture.
After accumulating Sh7,000 in savings, Ochieng opened a modest workshop that has since grown into a thriving business producing beds, cupboards, sofas and customised furniture.
Today, the workshop attracts customers from across Kericho and neighbouring regions.
Business now earns up to Sh10,000 a day
Ochieng says his ability to combine multiple skills — including carpentry, upholstery and interior finishing — has helped distinguish his products from competitors.
His business now employs five workers, including young trainees learning furniture-making skills.
“There is work everywhere if people are willing to learn,” he said.
“The problem is that many people want quick money before understanding the value of hard work.”
According to Ochieng, his workshop earns between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 on productive days depending on customer demand.
Standard sofa sets sell for between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000, while premium customised designs can fetch more than Sh20,000.
“Do not choose jobs. Learn the work first. Master it. Money will follow,” he advised.
Football-inspired sofas becoming popular
In an unusual twist, Ochieng has also built a niche designing football-themed furniture for sports fans.
A passionate supporter of Gor Mahia F.C. and Arsenal F.C., he creates customised sofas inspired by club colours and fan identities.
“Many fans want furniture that represents the teams they support,” he explained.
“We create customised sofas based on their preferred colours and designs.”
The concept has become increasingly popular among football lovers seeking personalised home décor.
‘Prison can either destroy you or transform you’
Despite his growing success, Ochieng says his bigger mission is to inspire unemployed youth and former inmates not to give up on life.
His long-term dream is to establish a major furniture and construction company offering interior design and furnishing services across Kenya.
“Prison can either destroy you or transform you,” he said.
“The choice depends on what you decide to do with the opportunity.”
Today, every sofa stitched inside his workshop stands as a symbol of resilience, redemption and second chances.
From prison inmate to employer and mentor, William Ochieng’s extraordinary rise is proving that even after life’s darkest moments, rebuilding is still possible.
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