Spirit of Kenyaism: TikTokers save Nakuru woman's hotel from collapse

 The support has given the Nakuru businesswoman a glimmer of hope. [Courtesy]

When Harriet Akinyi made a distressed call on Monday about her crippling hotel business in Nakuru town on social media, desperately wanting to sell it, she never knew that it would change her life.

A desperate call was captured on social media, with social media influencers rallying behind her. As they say, there is light at the end of the tunnel; she never thought that Kenyans would embrace her.

Kenyans on social media platforms across the country and beyond rallied behind her, and, in the blink of an eye, her world changed.

On Tuesday, Akinyi, 28, had customers triple in number, overwhelming her with a surge of people wanting a taste of her food.

On Wednesday, Akinyi received increasing online orders, driven by the desire to support Akinyi's business.

“I was on the verge of giving up; my business was down,” she said.

She started her business in November 2025, which she said picked up well, but things changed in December.

In her hotel, Akinyi ventures into indigenous food, saying she discovered that most hotels have fast food, disadvantageous to her due to her love of local delicacy meals.

She invested over Sh2 million in the business, hoping for business growth.

The first month, she earned 15,000 to 19,000 a day, but things changed in December; she earned only one thousand, which drained all her energy.

“I pushed myself, but it reached a point where my savings depleted, and I would get Sh300, which was heartbreaking,” she said.

Frustrated with her situation, she said depression kicked in, not knowing what to do; her options were slim, and giving up was an alternative.

“I brave the situation, would come early and cry, hoping my workers would not see me,” she added.

Akinyi had eight employees, but reduced them to four due to financial constraints.

Out of desperation, she said she made the video hopelessly without anything to lose.

“I wanted people to understand the reasons for my actions. I had invested in this business, and it was heartbreaking, but Kenyans came to my rescue,” she explained.

Her business is now busy, with customers streaming in, and others waiting for their turn to promote her business.

She had requested Sh150,000, but Kenyans have overwhelmingly supported her with over Sh200,000.

The support has given her a glimmer of hope.

After the video, she said she had accommodated over 200 customers in her hotel.

Before the business, she said she used to do online jobs.

“What I can tell Kenyans is to be kind when going through something, God always has a plan,” she said.

Her dream is to own her own establishment where she would create employment and satisfy customers' needs.

Kennedy Njuguna, the director of Madini Water, was among the businesspeople who supported Akinyi with her business.

With water, the director supplied Akinyi with drinking water to support her and encouraged her.

Njuguna said he saw the video and was shocked, but amused by how Kenyans supported Akinyi, something he said should be emulated across the globe.

“Many businesses are struggling; it's not good,” he added.

Nancy Ndegwa says she opened a support group for Akinyi following the viral video to create awareness of her business.

She advised the youth to open up and not suffer in silence.

"People are smiling, but they are suffering in silence. We should be kind to each other," she said.

Ken Obiero congratulated the youth for supporting their own.

He stated that the spirit was positive, hoping that the momentum would continue to support Akinyi’s business.

Sammy Gitonga, a creative artist, said he brought artists from Nakuru to support Akinyi.