This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On Thursday, Deputy President William Ruto met two young Kenyan carpenters, Stephen Odhiambo and Dennis Otieno, behind a unique convertible picnic table bench at his Karen home. The meeting, which many Kenyans on social media described as a 'hustler vs hustlers' encounter, was an opportunity for Ruto to encourage the two enterprising Kenyans for their innovative work.
According to Ruto, he was 'privileged to meet and interact with Odhiambo and Otieno, two enterprising Kenyans with innovative ideas on garden furniture.' He was 'thrilled by their cutting-edge skills and efforts.'
Before ordering for 10 units, Ruto haggled for the price, posing the question, 'I have a field around here and I need three more units, how much would you charge me for the three? Sh100, 000?' He pleaded with the two to charge him a 'hustler's price' but they stuck to their ground, saying Sh50, 000 was the best price they could give him.
However, Otieno insisted that Sh150,000 for the 10 units was a fair price for a hustler like Ruto. 'You being a fellow hustler, we will charge you Sh50,000 for each unit, but for ordinary Kenyans, we charge Sh22,000,' Otieno said.
Since the furniture's design was shared online two weeks ago, most carpenters across the country have embraced the two carpenters' creativity and are now making the convertible picnic table bench, which retails at between Sh15,000 and Sh25,000.
