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TikTokers turn Nakuru woman’s hotel failure into success story after viral plea
21st January, 2026 01:32 PM
Social media is many things. For some, it is their source for happiness and sorrow; for others, a place to rant, and for others, it is their ultimate go-to zone to pass time.
For Harriet Akinyi, a young budding businesswoman from Nakuru County, TikTok became her saviour at what many could describe as one of her lowest points.
After struggling to get her business up and running, Harriet had had enough and finally turned to the platform to express her frustrations over the turn of events.
In a lengthy rant, Harriet explained that she had fallen from being a millionaire to being broke because of the hotel business. She added that at the time she only had a total of Ksh37.
“All I have is Ksh37, Ksh33 bob in my bank account and Ksh4 in my Mpesa.”
She added that, at the time she was recording the video, she did not have money to run the business for even a day.
To emphasise her point that she did not have customers, she went ahead to dispose of chapatis that had been cooked in anticipation, saying that they were going bad anyway.
The situation was so bad that she was contemplating suicide at the time. She went ahead to plead for anyone willing to buy her hotel’s possessions and equipment to step forward with Ksh150,000. Harriet also opened the door for those who were willing to get her back into business.
“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.
“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.
The turnaround
It was the second call that attracted the attention of many, as barely a few hours later, the hotel was flooded with new customers.
Kenyans from within Nakuru and beyond flocked to her hotel to the extent that some lacked places to sit.
As if this was not enough, some of her customers brought her foodstuffs for her business to encourage her to keep going.
Harriet adds to a list of Kenyans who have been rescued by the TikTok community. In 2025, TikTokers thronged Nyeri after the story of the Kaluma boy went viral.
TikTokers also came together and raised funds that gave Brian Chira a befitting send-off.
