Nakuru Woman Thanks Kenyans For Turning Out to Rescue Her Restaurant After She Made This Emotional Appeal

In a powerful display of community spirit, Kenyans have flocked to support Harriet Akinyi, the owner of Tule Kienyeji restaurant in Nakuru's Central Business District, after her emotional TikTok video pleading for customers went viral.

Harriet, a 28-year-old entrepreneur, had invested millions of shillings into her eatery, located along Maasai Avenue between Mercy Mission Hospital and Victonnel Kindergarten. Despite operating for three months, the restaurant struggled with virtually no customers, leaving her in deep financial distress and emotional despair.

In a raw, tearful video posted on TikTok, Harriet broke down while expressing her pain: the silence in her once-hopeful business space felt unbearable, and she feared losing everything she had poured into the venture. The clip quickly spread across social media, touching hearts nationwide.

The response was immediate and overwhelming. By the morning after the video gained traction (around January 20, 2026), crowds began streaming into Tule Kienyeji. Supporters arrived not only from Nakuru but also from as far as Nairobi. The restaurant filled up rapidly—by 11:00 a.m., it had sold out all its prepared food, with tables packed and a constant flow of customers.

The support extended beyond just dining in. Well-wishers brought generous donations, including bales of unga (flour), crates of eggs, cooking oil, drinks, and other supplies. Some contributed financially through mobile money or direct help, turning what had been a quiet struggle into a bustling success story overnight.

Businesswoman May Jerono played a key role in mobilizing the crowd, helping coordinate the influx of supporters. Social media was flooded with messages of encouragement, with many urging continued patronage even after the initial viral attention fades, to ensure long-term sustainability for the business.

In follow-up videos shared on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and by media outlets such as NTV Kenya and Nation Africa, a visibly emotional yet joyful Harriet Akinyi expressed her profound thanks.

She said, “Thank you so much, Kenyans,” as she hugged customers and surveyed the packed restaurant. “I am overwhelmed. I did not think the video was going to blow up this much; it was just recorded as an honest cry for help.”

Harriet's gratitude highlighted how the outpouring restored not just her business but also her hope and dignity. The story has resonated widely, serving as a reminder of the fragility many small businesses face amid economic challenges, and the transformative power of collective kindness.