By Peter Atsiaya
He was a supervisor of a construction site 15 years ago, but now he owns one of the leading construction firms in Eldoret town.
Clement Bowen has risen from scratch to be one of the most sought after contractors in the area, which is one of the fastest growing urban centres in the country.
Mr Bomen started Bowen Building Contractors Kenya Ltd 11 years ago.
A holder of a diploma in Building and Civil Engineering from Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology in Nakuru, Bowen is a story of excellence in the industry in the North Rift town.
A resident of Koibatek in Nakuru County, Bowen attributes his success to sheer hard work and resilience even in the toughest of times.
Today, Bowen Building Contractors Ltd is valued at Sh10 million, and retains 10 permanent staff and 90 casuals.
Won hearts
The firm is credited with pioneering a 24-hour project works on sites in the town.
"This made me win hearts of many property developers, including athletes, who are investing in real estate in the town," says the 48-year old widower and father of three.
"Thanks to our 24-hour approach to project works, we can now compete with more established and heavily capitalised contractors from outside the town."
Clement Bowen has risen from scratch to be one of the most sought after contractors in Eldoret. PHOTOS: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD] |
He later moved to Mogotio Technical Institute as an instructor, before quitting shortly thereafter.
"I quit teaching after my former teacher Mr John Rop challenged me to try something more practical," says Bowen.
"Mr Rop told me I had the capability to go places if I operated independently as a contractor," he says, adding that he is glad he took the challenge because several years later, the fruits are showing.
Bowen’s first major interaction with construction sites came 14 years ago. While in Nakuru, he secured a job as a supervisor for the construction of a firearm armory.
His good work earned him his second and of course better job of interpreting the plan of a local hotel in the town. This assignment also saw him supervise the project billed at Sh19 million.
STANDING TESTIMONY
"This marked the turning point in my construction career," he says.
On completing the project, the owner introduced Bowen to another of his business associates, who intended to put up a hotel in Eldoret.
"Today, Jumbo Hotel near Eldoret Polytechnic stands as testimony to this relationship," he says.
"This is how I landed in Eldoret in 1998. I completed the project in one and half years to the satisfaction of my client."
With two successful projects on the ground, experience and a rich list of referees, Bowen decided to register his own construction firm — Bowen Building Contractors Kenya Ltd in 2000.
"With the two imposing projects in my portfolio, tenders started flowing in and I did not disappoint the investors who gave me the jobs in the town," Bowen adds.
He has since visited US, China, Japan and India to learn more about the industry.
"Last year, I participated in a building and construction exhibition in the US," he says.
Bowen’s lucky break came in 2008 with the tender to construct the Sh80 million Saito Centre with seven floors in the heart of Eldoret.
The completion of the project two years ago earned Bowen not just a name, but also business.
To Bowen, however, the project — owned by former PS in the Kanu regime Donald Kimutai — afforded him not just the experience, but also hardened his skin in the face of challenges.
"This was the project with highest quotation and the client’s expectations were
The Sh80 million Saito Centre with seven floors in the heart of Eldoret constructed by Clement Bowen. [PHOTOS: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD] |
As the project got under way after signing the deal with the client, post-election violence broke out.
"We had to stop work on the site for security reasons and after the skirmishes, it was hard sticking to set timelines," he says.
24-hour schedule
"This is the time I introduced the China-inspired 24-hour work schedule."
Thanks to a step initially taken as merely remedial, Bowen was able to complete the work within the time stipulated in the deal with the client.
Although initially expensive, Bowen used the system to target other clients, a move that paid off handsomely.
He has since executed several other projects including construction of police posts in areas that were hard hit by skirmishes.
Today, with Eldoret safely in his fold, Bowen is priming his sights on other regions. He also hopes to further his education as he expands his company.
