How Viral TikTok Video Saved a Struggling Nakuru Woman’s Business

A struggling restaurant in Nakuru has seen a rapid turnaround after its owner shared a video online describing severe financial difficulties, prompting widespread public support.

Harriet Akinyi, 28, owns Tule Kienyeji, a small eatery on Maasai Avenue in Nakuru’s central business district. The restaurant had been operating for three months when she recorded a video explaining that it was receiving almost no customers despite an investment of more than Sh1 million in construction, equipment and stock.

In the video, posted on TikTok, Ms Akinyi said she had exhausted her savings and was left with only a small balance in her bank account and mobile wallet. She said she was considering closing the business and offered to sell its assets at a reduced price to recover some of the losses. She also spoke openly about the emotional strain she was facing.

The video spread quickly across social media platforms, resonating with viewers who identified with the challenges faced by small business owners amid rising costs and weak consumer spending. Within hours, the restaurant became the focus of sustained public interest.

Customers began arriving in large numbers, with queues forming outside the premises. Many people travelled from different parts of Nakuru and surrounding areas to buy meals as a show of support. Others brought food supplies, including maize flour, eggs, cooking oil and soft drinks, to help restock the kitchen.

Some visitors said they had come after seeing the video online and wanted to support a fellow Kenyan facing hardship. Several customers took photographs at the restaurant, further increasing its visibility on social media.

Assistance also came in other forms. A bodaboda rider offered free transport to customers heading to the restaurant, while a digital marketer volunteered to promote Tule Kienyeji on social media platforms at no cost.

In a follow-up video, Ms Akinyi thanked those who had supported her, saying the response had helped her move past a period of despair. She said the business, which she feared would close, had been given a new chance to survive.