How a viral TikTok post saved Nakuru woman's business

What started as businesswoman Harriet Akinyi’s desperate appeal for survival has transformed into a powerful affirmation of social media’s influence and solidarity of Kenyans.

The 28-year-old entrepreneur’s restaurant, Tule Kienyeji, became a symbol of struggle and hope when a video of her emotional financial plea went viral on TikTok.

“Imagine today is Monday, I've locked myself up in this shop because I don't even have money to run this place for even a day,” she said in the video.

The restaurant which is on Maasai Avenue in Nakuru’s Central Business District, had been in operation for roughly three months.

In the video, she said despite investing more than Sh1 million of her savings in construction costs, equipment, décor, furniture and stock, the tables stayed empty.

“I have even wondered if I should hang myself in this shop or in my house. Please guys, I ask anyone who is willing to buy this business to come and save me,” she said.

 “All I have is Sh37, Sh33 bob in my bank account and Sh4 in my Mpesa.”

Out of despair, Akinyi offered to sell the restaurant’s assets, including commercial kitchen equipment, furniture and stock, for as little as Sh150,000 to cover her expenses

Within hours, her story was shared widely on TikTok and other platforms, prompting comments from Kenyans who recognised the familiar trials of small business ownership and economic hardship.

What might have remained a local business challenge became a viral appeal that mobilised people from across counties.

Some brought supplies including bales of maize flour, crates of eggs, cooking oil and drinks to restock the restaurant.

Customers described the home-style local food as delicious and affordable, while others said they simply wanted to support Akinyi.

One Nakuru resident, Loice, said that, she came after seeing the video online and refused to let a fellow Kenyan “struggle alone”.

A bodaboda rider even offered free transportation to customers heading to the restaurant from key routes across Nakuru

Abdulai Adan, an online marketer, pledged to promote Tule Kienyeji daily across his platforms at no cost.

For Akinyi, the support has brought visible relief. In a separate video shared later on, she thanked well-wishers for turning what she had feared would be a closure into a beautiful victory.