Ntazola Gloria recalls being ‘too broke’ to blend in at University of Nairobi
By Trizer Lijondo, September 1, 2026Content creator Ntazola Gloria has opened up about her experience at the University of Nairobi (UoN), revealing how financial struggles made it difficult for her to fit in with her classmates.
In a series of Instagram stories shared on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Gloria reflected on her university experience, saying the institution taught her resilience while also exposing her to the realities of navigating social spaces without enough money.
The difficulty in blending in
Gloria said her experience at UON shaped her in many ways, particularly because she had to learn how to deal with situations where she could not afford the lifestyle she saw around her.
She revealed that just a week after being admitted, she already knew she would struggle to blend in because she was “too broke.”
The content creator explained that she would watch her classmates dress stylishly and afford different meals, experiences she also desired but could not always afford.
“I always watched my classmates how they dressed and could afford every nice meals and dress in stylish clothes I really wanted that too,” she said.
Despite the difficult experience, Gloria described UON as a place that taught her resilience, suggesting that the challenges she encountered became part of her personal growth.
The lies
Gloria also shared a screenshot detailing how she dealt with the financial pressure and the embarrassment she felt when she could not afford to join her friends for meals.
“When I talk about broke I mean you cnt afford those Klabu meals and cnt even tell your friends that you cnt accompany them for lunch because you broke but I used to lie I don’t like the food,” she wrote.
She added that there were moments when she could not even afford “a smoocha and juice,” describing it as “that kind of broke.”
Rather than admitting that she did not have enough money, Gloria said she sometimes came up with excuses to avoid revealing her situation.
The avoidance
Gloria further revealed that she eventually began avoiding people because she found it easier to hide her struggles than explain them.
“So I decided to avoid everyone to hide my struggles that was way easier,” she stated.
However, she said she later realised that she needed to change her approach.
“But I knew I needed to change that,” Gloria added.
Her reflection offers a glimpse into the often-unspoken financial pressures students can experience, particularly when comparing themselves with peers. For Gloria, what began as an uncomfortable period at UON ultimately became an experience she says helped build her resilience.