The one-armed bicycle repairer of Kakamega

Henry Musyomi alias “Afande” at his Khayega market bicycle workshop in Kakamega. His right hand was amputated ten years ago following a medical operation gone sour but returned to work even harder with a single hand. Picture: CHRISPEN SECHERE/STANDARD

While some of his agemates have gone into retirement, 60-year-old Henry Musyomi is still going strong in his bicycle repair career, which he started way back while a teenager.

His work, however, almost came to an end ten years ago following the amputation of his right hand.

“Ten years ago, a clinician at Kakamega hospital wrongly diagnosed and operated on my right arm. My hand did not heal as expected and I ended up having my arm amputated at the Kenyatta National Hospital,” he says.

Following the debacle, Musyomi almost gave up until he reflected on the words of the doctor who amputated his arm. “He told me amputation was not the end of my life. That I should fight on as a man,” he says.

Musyomi took control of his life and started working at his bicycle repair stall after a year break and today boasts of two employees Alfred Ndalamia and Fred Jokinda.

These two have literally become his ‘right hand men’. When he cannot carry out heavy manual tasks that entail using both hands, he calls for their assistance.

It is fascinating watching Musyomi repair punctures, tighten nuts and adjust brake settings without any assistance.

From his make-shift workshop, the father of eight — who is his family’s sole bread winner — is able to provide for his family.

Musyomi says, most of the time, his earnings from the shop are just enough to feed his family and he, therefore, has to save and engage in additional money making ventures.

“From this business, I have managed to build a semi-permanent rental block of three shops and I charge Sh1,500 per room. I have educated my children from this business,” he says.

He hopes to set up a bigger station to repair bicycles and if possible motorbikes in the coming years.