From Government Job To Multi-Million Business: Meet Cleophas , Owner Of Fine Urban Construction

Cleophas Nyagaka is a Kenyan entrepreneur who quit a government job to pursue his passion for interior design, eventually building Fine Urban Construction and Interiors into a multi-million-shilling construction business.

Nyagaka serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and lead interior designer, overseeing residential and commercial projects in Kenya and abroad.

His passion for interior design began during childhood when he would decorate his mother’s house with artistic pieces. He later secured sponsorship to study real estate in South Africa, gaining knowledge that would prove valuable in his entrepreneurial journey.

Upon returning to Kenya, Nyagaka secured employment at the National Construction Authority. Despite earning a good salary, he remained passionate about transforming homes and office spaces.

In June 2023, he told Business Daily that he would often analyse rooms during meetings, imagining how he could improve their appearance.

Determined to pursue his dream, Nyagaka established a small workshop that designed and sold household furnishings. However, establishing the business in Nairobi came with challenges, particularly building trust and attracting customers.

To promote his services, he approached furniture buyers and offered to redesign or repaint their homes, sometimes without charging. His breakthrough came when he secured a contract to design a hotel interior in Samburu.

He reinvested the proceeds into better office space, additional employees and business expansion. Eventually, Fine Urban Construction evolved from an interior design firm into a full-scale construction company.

The company, which initially employed two people, has grown to more than 30 permanent employees, alongside several contract workers.

Nyagaka credits digital marketing and social media, particularly YouTube, for helping the company attract clients from countries including Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon and South Africa.

His designs draw inspiration from international travels across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as local Kenyan culture and materials.

Despite the company’s growth, Nyagaka identifies the shortage of skilled labour and inconsistent quality of locally available finishing materials as persistent challenges.

He hopes to establish a manufacturing division for interior furnishings, add value to Kenya’s natural resources and partner with Kenyans in the diaspora seeking real estate investment opportunities back home.

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