Upon completing high school in 2016, Collins Irandu Njoroge immersed himself in the creative art to make his ends meet.

Through resilience, courage and a deep passion for art Irandu embarked on improving his basic skills and refining his talent, despite facing financial and educational limitations.

‎‎He had a close friend who had been in the art business for nearly two decades

‎‎“Every time he went to work, I would go with him as his assistant,” Irandu explains. Through this hands-on exposure, he learned new techniques daily, which gradually strengthened his confidence and sharpened his skills.

‎‎Although art and craft were not part of his school curriculum, his curiosity pushed him to explore creativity beyond the classroom, even when recognition was limited.

‎‎Between 2017 and 2019, Irandu worked closely with his mentor, and to date, the two still collaborate on various projects. However, there came moments when clients approached him directly while his friend was unavailable.

‎‎“I found myself having to do the work on my own,” he recalls. “At first, I was scared of how clients would judge my work, but with time, I gained courage.”

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Some of Collins Irandu Njoroge's work.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Charging Sh 500 per window, he single-handedly decorated nearly 40 windows.

‎‎“I was excited because, at that time, even that money meant a lot to me,” he says, describing the experience as both challenging and motivating.

‎‎Beyond seasonal Christmas decorations, Irandu works as a painter, interior designer and craft artist throughout the year. He emphasizes creativity and uniqueness, often designing reusable, environmentally friendly decorations made primarily from paint and handcrafted materials.

‎‎“I love doing something different, something that sends a message and doesn’t look ordinary,” he notes.

‎‎Although he did not get the opportunity to attend college due to financial instability, Irandu chose to work rather than burden his parents. Over time, his efforts helped him stabilize and grow professionally.

Some of Collins Irandu Njoroge's work.

Photo credit: COURTESY

‎‎However, challenges remain, especially during peak seasons like Christmas, when overlapping bookings force him to collaborate with fellow artists to meet client demand.

‎‎Despite these hurdles, the reception to his work has been positive, driven largely by referrals. Looking ahead, Irandu hopes to expand beyond Naivasha, noting that he has already received referrals from other counties.

‎‎“As long as the client can accommodate logistics, I’m flexible,” he says.

‎‎For Irandu, the greatest highlight of his work is the trust clients place in him. “Referrals are what keep us going,” he concludes, adding that mentoring younger artists and overseeing their work is now part of his growing impact in the creative space.

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Naivasha artist finds success in interior decoration

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Muthoni Wanjiku