I was accompanied by my mother when I first came to Nairobi in September 2008 to join Kenyatta University. On arrival, we went to a restaurant where shockingly, we were served food in foolscaps and nylon papers and had to eat using toothpicks! I thought Nairobians were so selfish and were hiding the forks and plates.
I mean, we had paid for the food, right? I later came to learn that this was the fast food culture in the city. I had never been to such a busy town. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, headed somewhere. Honestly, I did not have intentions of staying. My plan was to go back to Mombasa as soon as I finish my studies and ‘chill.’ That changed when I saw how almost everyone around me was juggling day jobs, studies and a myriad of other side hustles.
I also joined the bandwagon and got into modelling. Although my ‘assets’ were not as big as they are presently, people still found me attractive, thanks to my coastal accent. Nairobi men, however, did not impress me.
They only wanted to get into your pants! And boy, were they aggressive? At first, I thought that the girls in my class were ‘shady’ since they all went to class in high heels. A classroom, for me, was a laid back place where jeans and flat shoes would be ideal. But you know what they say, if you can’t beat them, join them! I did, and outdid them. I was the flashiest of them all! Vera Sidika spoke to Cate Mukei