Harriet Karimi Muriithi on Life in Kenya

Nov 2, 2023

Harriet Muriithi, a 22-year-old hospitality professional from Tatu City, shares her insights on life in Nairobi and the rich tapestry of Kenyan culture. She discusses her aspirations to start a high-end restaurant while exploring the intersection of technology and personal growth. Harriet reveals her passion for TikTok and fantasy novels, reflecting on societal challenges, educational reforms, and the impact of COVID-19. She also dives into the influence of Chinese investment in Kenya and the dynamic landscape of job opportunities for the youth.

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ANECDOTE

Move to Nairobi

Harriet Muriithi moved to Nairobi at age 10 after receiving a school sponsorship.
She lived with her aunt and uncle while her parents and younger brother stayed in their village.

INSIGHT

Smaller Families

Smaller families are becoming the norm in Nairobi due to economic hardship.
Muriithi believes having more children contributes to societal problems like theft due to limited resources.

ANECDOTE

TikTok Enthusiast

Muriithi actively uses TikTok, creating videos showcasing her daily life and work.
Her videos feature a mix of English and Bantu, incorporating dance and conversations.

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As a follow-up to the episode featuring Stephen Jennings, we’re releasing two bonus conversations showing the daily life, culture, and politics of Nairobi and Kenya at large. This first installment features Harriet Muriithi. Harriet is a 22-year-old hospitality professional living and working in Tatu City, a massive mixed-used development spearheaded by Jennings. Harriet grew up in the picturesque foothills of Mount Kenya before moving to the capital city as a child to pursue better schooling. She has witnessed Nairobi's remarkable growth firsthand over the last decade. An ambitious go-getter, Harriet studied supply chain management and wishes to open her own high-end restaurant.

In her conversation with Tyler, Harriet opens up about her TikTok hobby, love of fantasy novels, thoughts on improving Kenya's education system, and how she leverages AI tools like ChatGPT in her daily life, the Chinese influence across Africa, the challenges women face in village life versus Nairobi, what foods to sample as a visitor to Kenya, her favorite musicians from Beyoncé to Nigerian Afrobeats stars, why she believes technology can help address racism, her Catholic faith and church attendance, how COVID-19 affected her education and Kenya’s recovery, the superstitions that persist in rural areas, the career paths available to Kenya's youth today, why Nollywood movies captivate her, the diversity of languages and tribes across the country, whether Kenya’s neighbors impact prospects for peace, what she thinks of the decline in the size of families, why she enjoys podcasts about random acts of kindness, what infrastructure and lifestyle changes are reshaping Nairobi, if the British colonial legacy still influences politics today, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded June 12th, 2023.

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