Kenyan YouTuber and content creator Diana Marua recently expressed her frustration after a tense encounter with street families in Nairobi. The incident occurred while she was stuck in traffic along Uhuru Highway near the University of Nairobi.
According to Marua, a group of individuals living on the streets surrounded her vehicle, banging on the windows and calling out her name. Some of the women in the group pleaded with her to send them money to feed their children, while others asked for food, diapers, and various forms of assistance.
Concerned for her safety and wanting to help, Marua offered to send them KSh 1,000 to share among themselves. However, her good intentions were met with hostility when one person dismissed the offer and demanded that she send KSh 10,000 instead.
“Someone suddenly said, ‘What is KSh 1,000? What will that do? Give us KSh 10,000,'” she recounted in her Instagram stories. She expressed disbelief at the level of entitlement, noting that she works hard to earn her money through content creation and other ventures, and found it unreasonable for someone to dictate how much she should give.
Marua criticised the demand, stating that those asking for help should do so respectfully. She emphasized that having the ability to move and speak meant they also had the ability to find ways to earn a living. As a result of the rude response, she decided not to send any money at all.
“You cannot demand from people who are trying to help you. That’s not how you ask for help,” she stated, adding that “beggars are not choosers” and should “borrow with manners.”
Known for her philanthropic efforts and frequent support of the less fortunate, Marua’s experience highlights a growing concern among Nairobi residents about the increasing boldness of street families. Her story has since sparked conversations online about the right approach to giving and receiving help.
