In a remarkable display of solidarity, Kenyans have rallied to rescue a struggling Nakuru-based eatery after a deeply emotional appeal by the owner online.
Tule Kienyeji Restaurant, located on Maasai Avenue in Nakuru’s Central Business District, witnessed unprecedented scenes on Tuesday morning as crowds of supporters arrived to back the owner, a woman known as Harriet, whose emotional appeal for customers had captured the hearts of the nation.
By 11:00 a.m., the restaurant had completely sold out of food, a stark contrast to the previous week when the establishment sat empty for days at a time.
Patrons queued for hours, with some travelling from as far as Nairobi to ensure the business remained viable.
“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,” a visibly moved Harriet said as she hugged customers.
Kenyan have flooded the Nakuru restaurant of the lady named Akinyi Harriet, who cried this morning saying she had invested millions in her restaurant business but had not gotten customers yet for the three months the hotel has been operational. Some Kenyans even went an extra… pic.twitter.com/FmUI9qId4A
— ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?™?? (@Realkangethe) January 20, 2026
“Thank you so much, Kenyans.”
The support extended far beyond just dining.
Well-wishers arrived with physical donations, including sacks of rice, sugar, and cooking oil, while others sent mobile money transfers to help Harriet settle mounting rent arrears and debts.
Local businesswoman May Jerono, who helped mobilize the crowds, noted the power of the community response.
“Kenyans are amazing people,” Jerono said. “When we see one of our own hurting, we show up. We are here to make sure this business doesn’t just survive today, but thrives for years.”
The surge in patronage followed a viral TikTok video in which Harriet broke down in tears, admitting she was on the verge of closure.
In the clip, filmed inside her silent restaurant, she detailed how she had invested her life savings into the venture only to go for days without a single customer.
“I have tried my best,” Harriet had said in the video. “The silence in this hotel hurts more than the financial losses.”
The raw honesty of the post resonated with thousands of social media users, many of whom noted that Harriet’s struggle reflected the broader economic challenges facing small-scale entrepreneurs in the country.
As the lunchtime rush saw every table filled with laughter and conversation, the focus moved toward the restaurant’s future.
While the initial wave of support has cleared Harriet’s immediate debts, online supporters have urged Nakuru residents to make Tule Kienyeji a regular spot to ensure long-term success.