My experiences in Nairobi, Kenya

Prometheus fellowship ended in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2024. I met fellows from more than 40 countries this time. I saw hopeful and inspiring leaders who were brilliant and motivated about their lives and the world around them. Brazilian people were astonished when they saw people crossing highways in Nairobi. Indians were busy exploring the city and were very conscious of the exchange rate. Nepalis were busy networking. Africans were there to help others and prepare for upcoming debates. Pakistanis loved Keiynan tea and Indian food.

Kenyans are brilliant people on earth. I noticed two things about Kenyan people. The good thing is that they are honest, helpful, and nice to foreigners. The unfortunate aspect is that they are dishonest when it comes to finances. It is my subjective opinion; different people have other observations. Sometimes, when they know you are a foreigner, they charge you more or ask for additional money, especially in transportation services like Bolt and Uber, as well as on mobile networks. 

I found the best fruits in Kenya. I ate pineapple, avocado, watermelon, grapes, mangoes, and oranges. I visited Nairobi National Park. It had a 7-hour off-road sightseeing tour. I saw lions, rhinos, deer, ostriches, and crocodiles. We travelled in 4X4 Land Cruisers.

In my spare time, I visited the Central Business Center. On our first visit to CBC, the shops and markets were closed. A protest was going on. It was triggered by proposed tax hikes, and the movement has evolved into a campaign for more accountable governance in the country, and demanded the entire government's resignation. We went to CBC again the next day, and fortunately, the protests were concluded. We roamed around, got a charger, and repaired my laptop. 

When our stay at Olu Sereni ended on July 27, I booked Mad Vervet Backpackers Nairobi Hostel for five days. I called an Atlas Corp fellow from Nairobi. She works as an HR manager for a company in Nairobi. She was a brilliant and hopeful lady who wanted to start her own NGO and address the pay gaps among men and women in Kenya. 

She showed us the city. We went to Giraffe Park and saw beautiful giraffes of all sizes. We visited the International Convention Centre to see Nairobi city from the top. We had one of the best chicken Karai, Gulab Jamun, and Biryani in Nairobi from Khan's - Pakistani Kitchen (Village Market). Finally, we went to the National Museum of Kenya. When we arrived at the Museum, it was about to close. However, they allow us to tour the snake sanctuary. I saw deadly, friendly, big, small, ugly, and beautiful snakes. I also touched a 500-year-old turtle and saw giant alligators.  

The next day, we went to Village Bowl, played bowling, bought groceries, and had lunch. At Mad Vervet Backpackers, I met interesting people from around the world. I met Nathan, who is from Ethiopia. He took me to China Market with his friend Lyadon, and we ate Chinese soup and ice cream. I played football on PlayStation with Nathan, and I almost lost games. Nairobi has pleasant weather, a serene atmosphere, clean localities, and economical prices.

 

I am grateful to Prometheus the Foundation and Students for Liberty for this fantastic opportunity to see, live, interact, and share emotions, feelings, love, and food with the nicest people. I am also grateful for each and every one I met in my two years as a Prometheus fellow, especially friends I met in Vienna in 2023 and in Nairobi in 2024. Prometheus Fellowship is a two-year personal, professional, and philosophical development journey. I have made good friends, learned from others, seen the world, and gained knowledge. This fellowship has strengthened my understanding of philosophy through lectures, debates, and essays. It has infused in me confidence through leadership and communication courses. It has allowed me to interact with people with totally different cultural, philosophical, political, religious, and personal orientations. I learned to see the beauty in diversity. The Prometheus program has allowed me to visit two beautiful cities in the world: Vienna and Nairobi. 

Life becomes beautiful when you start to think about good things and see others as they are. I saw a sea of clouds when I opened the airplane's window. I didn't know which part of the world I was in, but I believed I was on the right path to home. My trip to Nairobi has taught me to be nice to others, you see miracles happening in your life. During my stay at Mad Backpacker's hostel, I met people from Sudan, America, Ethiopia, the UK, Kenya, Nepal, Japan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and India. I listened to new and interesting stories. I shared my stories and talked about my hometown, life, and future plans.

 

I always recommend people, especially those in Nairobi for weeks or months, consider staying in a hostel. Hostels are locations where you find interesting people. I met a friend from the USA. He has been visiting different countries for the last year and a half. Before travelling to the USA, he wanted to visit South Asia, and I welcomed him to Pakistan. I met James. He is a British-born South African. He is doing his internship in Nairobi. I talked about Nathan and Lyndon. Lyndon visited his grandmother, who runs a business in Nairobi. He wanted to start a business in Nairobi after he completed his studies. 

Sometimes you can't imagine the impact you have on your life when you meet, visit, interact,  share, and listen to new and strange people in different parts of the world. I have learned to respect others, share my feelings, connect with colleagues, share food, act professionally, help others, and listen to different music. I learned to debate, ask, discuss, build, share, and network through the Prometheus fellowship.