At dawn, he’s knee-deep in Kisumu’s rubbish; by dusk, he’s lost in swirls of colour and rhythm. For Victor “Ous” Odhiambo, waste picking is not an end but a means – a way to fund the art that pulled him from the grip of drugs and despair, and into a life of purpose.
I first encountered Ous at the Wan E Yo Art exhibition at the Kisumu National Museum earlier this year. His contemporary works, blending abstraction and impressionism, stood out for their balance of greyscale and colour. The charcoal and pastel pieces in particular revealed a discipline and style that mark him as one of Kisumu’s rising talents.
Born, raised, and schooled in Nyalenda, Ous discovered his love for art in high school. After completing his education, he joined Mwangaza Art School, graduating in 2024. “I’m working my way toward being a full-time artist,” he says. “Waste-picking allows me to cater for myself and buy painting materials.”
Victor “Ous” Odhiambo spends his mornings knee-deep in Kisumu’s rubbish and his evenings lost in swirls of colour and rhythm.
Photo credit: Pool
For Ous, art is more than a career path, it is a lifeline. “It keeps me away from drugs and crime. It gives me a way to communicate and tell stories, and it allows me to inspire my community.”
He cites Claude Monet as an early influence. “I love his impressionist paintings, especially his brush strokes. They evoke emotion, and I want the same for my work.” Over time, he has gravitated toward abstract art, which he says has a niche following in Kisumu.
“I’m drawn to contemporary art, mostly using acrylics, charcoal mixed media, and pastels. I’m still experimenting with different media, but abstract work excites me the most.”
Ous was inspired to pursue art school by Coaster Ojwang, a Mwangaza graduate whose work he admired before they met. “Seeing what Coaster had achieved gave me hope. He was the push I needed to join art school.”
The journey was far from smooth. Coming from a humble background, Ous had to drop out of art school in his first two years due to lack of fees. “My mother was supportive, but she had just lost her job. I took up waste picking to pay my fees, but the arrears piled up.”
One of the school organisers, impressed by his talent, secured him a sponsorship that cleared his balance and allowed him to complete his studies.
“Muhoroni” — Acrylic Mixed Media by Victor Odhiambo Ouma.
Photo credit: Pool
His evolution as an artist has been steady. He began with line drawings he now calls “unimpressive”, but reading, practice, and persistence built his skill and confidence. Working in Kisumu’s art scene presents its own challenge – a market that often prefers the familiar over the experimental. “Abstract art isn’t the easiest sell here,” he admits, “but I’m relentless. I want my art to change my life and to give back to the community that raised me.”
That mission is deeply personal. Before joining art school, Ous struggled with depression and drug use. “By the time I got to Form Four, life was very difficult. Drugs became my escape. Art saved me. It gave me a reason to keep going.”
Now, he hopes his work can help others escape similar cycles. “I want to engage people battling addiction through my art, because I was once there. I want to show them it’s possible to rebuild your life.”
