US-Based Kenyan Entrepreneur Jane Mukami Shares How Bankruptcy Transformed Her Life

US-based Kenyan health and wellness entrepreneur Jane Mukami has revealed that she filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after being left responsible for an $82,000 debt when a former business partner abandoned a commercial lease they had co-signed.

Mukami said the debt arose after her former partner walked away from the lease, leaving her legally liable for the remaining payments. She recalled receiving court documents demanding $75,000 plus interest. 

"I opened the envelope. My heart stopped," she said, describing the moment she learnt she would be held responsible for the debt.

After seeking legal advice, Mukami decided to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. She said the decision was a practical step that allowed her to move forward rather than remain burdened by the financial obligation. Although the bankruptcy would stay on her credit record for ten years, she said signing the documents brought immediate relief. 

At the time, she worked as an independent technology contractor, with most of her income earned through her business instead of personal wages, making bankruptcy the most suitable option. The impact of the bankruptcy continued for several years. After leaving her corporate career in 2018 to start a health and wellness business, Mukami struggled to secure funding. 

She said she applied for more than 40 loans and credit cards to pay for a business coach but was repeatedly turned down because of her credit history. One lender eventually approved her application, providing the support she needed to build her online coaching business. Mukami said the business has since helped more than 2,000 women improve their health and wellbeing.

Mukami now says she is debt-free and pays for her expenses in cash. She recently reached another milestone when both American Express and another bank approved her credit card applications. Writing from Medellín, Colombia, she said people should not measure their worth by events such as bankruptcy, divorce, marriage or parenthood, but instead focus on how they recover and move forward.