A Nairobi mother turning heads and winning hearts online has been captured on video navigating city streets with a donkey-pulled cart stacked with 20-litre jerricans of water, her young child perched quietly on top as she went about her daily rounds.
The footage, filmed and shared by popular content creator Biker Nairobi, shows the woman working a trade long associated exclusively with men.
On flat stretches, the donkey led the way, but whenever the route climbed uphill, she moved to the rear of the cart and pushed it to offer support to the animal.
Nairobi woman shares reality of her hustle
When Biker Nairobi pulled over to speak with her, he wasted no time expressing his admiration.
“It’s not hard? Can I buy you lunch or breakfast? You have inspired me a lot, and that is why I have decided to stop to appreciate you for the good work you are doing. I have seen people begging for money on the road, but you are different,” he told her.
The woman, all smiles, explained that the work had become easier the longer she kept at it. She also revealed a practical limitation of the job: customers living in multi-storey buildings either had to carry the jerricans up themselves or pay someone separately for that task.
Her bond with the animal doing the heavy lifting was clear.
“The donkey is used to me, that’s why when I talk, he listens. His name is Sifuna,” she said.
True to his word, Biker Nairobi handed her a KSh 1,000 note before sending her on her way, as she and her son continued their route through the neighbourhood.
Kenyans praise Nairobi woman
The video struck a chord with viewers, many of whom were moved as much by the woman’s composure and warmth as by her determination.
Keith Elvis:
“Sifuna carries the burden and hopes of many Kenyans. In English, this has a name. Ni Nini muniambie those who are good at English.”
Dotty Justin:
“The way she is holding that donkey shows she treats it well.”
Fred Oluoch:
“The power of a human being is the inner drive of positive thinking.”
Jonathan Musyoka:
“The punda itself is healthy na the padding is comfortable.”
For many watching, the image of a mother pushing a water cart through Nairobi’s streets, child in tow and donkey by her side, summed up the spirit of Kenya’s hustler generation: no job too demanding, no road too steep.
