Navigating late twenties as a brokie

They said twenties are for building, but the building block waah!

Still Broke, Still Breathing: Surviving Your Late Twenties With Vibes and -Pesa Loans

They said your twenties were for building. They forgot to mention you’d be building character, not wealth. If you’re navigating your late twenties with a shaky M-Pesa balance, unfulfilled potential, and a head full of dreams, welcome to the club. We don’t charge membership fees because, well, we can’t afford to.

Let’s talk about what it’s really like trying to stay afloat when you’re broke, tired, and still holding out hope.

1. The Financial Fumble: When “Salary Pending” Is a Lifestyle

Some of us are employed. Some are freelancing. Others are in-between blessings. But one thing unites us: our account balance never quite reflects our effort. You grind all month, only for Fuliza to greet your pay cheque before you can.

Budgeting? We try. But Nairobi doesn’t care about your budget. You leave the house with Ksh 300, buy lunch and a bodaboda ride, and suddenly your balance is Ksh -197. Adulting really is a scam.

2. Social Life on a Shoestring Budget

Remember when turning up was easy? Now, getting invited to an event triggers a budget crisis. You start calculating the Uber, the drinks, and the outfit, and by the time you’re done, you’re tired. That’s why “next time” is the most used phrase in your vocab.

Cheap dates become creative missions. “Let’s take a walk” isn’t romantic; it’s affordable. Movie nights become YouTube marathons on a cracked screen. But hey, at least you’re trying.

3. Career Chaos & LinkedIn Anxiety

Every scroll through LinkedIn is a personal attack. “Promoted to Senior Partner at 26.” “Moved to Canada to work at Google.” And there you are…rearranging your CV font to feel productive.

You’re working gigs, trying out content, maybe juggling two or three things that aren’t quite making sense yet. It’s okay. Everyone’s pretending to have it together. Your path may look different—slower—but it’s still valid.

4. Hustle Culture Is Draining Us

There’s this pressure to keep “grinding,” even when you’re on the verge of burnout. Sleep becomes a luxury, rest feels guilty, and success feels just out of reach.

Sometimes you have to remind yourself: your productivity doesn’t equal your value. You’re allowed to pause. To breathe. To fail and try again. Life isn’t a TikTok reel; there’s no need to fast-forward your journey.

5. Dating on a Budget (Vibes, Not Visa Cards)

Can you date while broke? Yes. Will it test your emotional maturity, ego, and creativity? Absolutely.

The reality is, love in your twenties—especially when funds are low—is a test of authenticity. You can’t impress with money, so you lead with effort. Long calls, handmade playlists, thoughtful texts. If they’re down to build with you now, they’re a real one. If they ghost because you can’t afford Java? That’s rent leaving your life.

6. Mental Health, Therapy & Inner Peace (Kinda)

Therapy in Kenya? Costly. Bottling your feelings? Free, but dangerous.

When you’re broke, you start to normalise stress, anxiety, and emotional burnout. But please don’t. Talk to someone. Journal. Walk. Breathe. Cry in the shower if you have to—just don’t ignore it.

We weren’t taught to prioritise mental health. But we’re learning. One meme, one open conversation at a time.

7. Mini-Wins Matter More Than You Think

Paid your Wi-Fi bill on time? Win. Ate three meals today? Win. Rejected a toxic situationship? Massive win.

In your late twenties, you have to clap for yourself. Life’s not giving out gold stars, so you have to make your own. Progress isn’t always loud—sometimes it’s just showing up for yourself when it’s easier to quit.

8. Final Thoughts: Broke, But Not Broken

You might be broke, but you’re not broken. You’re figuring it out—one Fuliza, one freelance gig, and one mental breakdown at a time. And that’s okay.

Your late twenties aren’t about having it all—they’re about learning who you are when you don’t. Keep dreaming. Keep laughing. Keep pushing. And when it gets too heavy? Remember: vibes are free, and so is hope.

You’re not alone.

Bonus: Broke But Elite Tips

• Download that expense tracker app—even if you hate the results.
• Rotate 3 killer outfits to look put together (no one notices, trust me).
• Romanticise your life. Brew tea like you’re in a movie. Walk like you own Nairobi.
• Save Ksh 200 a week. That’s Ksh 10,400 a year—do with that info what you will.

gone too soon

Last weekend I got a phone call from my mum, she went straight to the point “Ian amejinyonga”, I cant say we were close at the time but this hit me to the core. But he was doing so well, what happened.

I grew up with Ian; we were the same age. I remember us playing soccer every evening after school, attending each other’s birthdays, singing in church, and having our childish disagreements. Then life happened, and everyone went their separate ways, each on their own unique path.

He was a brilliant mind too, went to the best primary school in the region. He attended a top national school for his highschool studies, proceeded to Kenyatta University immediately after.

the first time eye ball were raised in Ian’s impeccable character was during Uni when his mother, a widowed nurse, got up in Church to ask the laity to pray for his only son who has now turned to smoking weed.

To me, it was almost laughable—weed and university buddies are all too common in Kenya. I couldn’t help but feel a bit of excitement, though, knowing he’d be home for the holidays soon. We could light one up, laugh, and reminisce about those old, more innocent days when things were a lot more uptight.

The second shock came when I found out he was now hanging around a pretty shady crew. The Ian I once knew was now deep into chewing khat (miraa), smoking cigarettes, and drinking the same cheap beers we used to gulp down during our broke days. I didn’t judge him, though—after all, we all go through our own struggles. But as time went on, the frequency of his intoxication became increasingly alarming. It was hard to ignore, and it made me wonder what was going on beneath the surface.

Mental health is a tricky subject—it’s often too risky to approach, and it’s hard to truly know what someone is going through. Unless someone opens up and asks for help, there’s not much you can do. People hide their struggles in so many different ways, and it’s easy to overlook the signs unless they’re explicitly shown. The truth is, we can only offer support when it’s welcomed, but sometimes even that isn’t enough if the person isn’t ready to face what they’re dealing with.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite cartoon?

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While the list is incredibly long…. Spongebob will forever remain iconic.

The Changing Landscape of Sports Content: A Focus on Authenticity and Behind-the-Scenes Stories

The world of sports media has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Gone are the days when the primary focus was simply on who won, where, and when. Today’s sports fans are seeking more than just the outcome of a game—they want to know the full story. From the training that goes into preparing for a championship to the personal sacrifices athletes make along the way, the behind-the-scenes narrative is becoming just as important as the trophy itself.

Lynne Wachira, a prominent sports journalist, highlights the shift in how sports content is consumed. “Sports content has really changed. It’s no longer just about who won, where, and when,” she says. “It’s more about the journey—how did I get here? What did I do to get here? And what is my family saying about this journey?”

This transformation is not only about satisfying the changing tastes of fans but also about tapping into a new generation of consumers. By 2035, an estimated 40% of the global population will be Gen Z, and their media consumption habits are already reshaping the industry. For media houses, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. As Wachira points out, “It’s time for media houses to take advantage of the digital transformation to tap into sports money.”

Gen Z, born and raised in the digital age, demands content that is immersive, authentic, and accessible. They connect with athletes on a personal level, often following their social media feeds and tuning in to behind-the-scenes content on YouTube and streaming platforms. This generation wants to understand the “how” and “why” behind the wins, not just the final result. It’s a shift that many sports networks and outlets are already adjusting to, but there’s still much work to be done.

To ensure the sustainability of sports media moving forward, experts suggest involving the younger generation directly in the content creation process. Bernard Momanyi, a media expert at Capital FM, offers a solution: “I propose that KEG (Kenya Editors Guild) invite more Gen Z members into our newsrooms,” he says. “Their fresh ideas will help us understand the evolving landscape of sports content and ensure sustainable growth in the media sector.”

Gen Z’s influence on sports journalism cannot be overstated. From the rise of personal athlete channels to the demand for real-time access to their favorite players, this generation is driving the next wave of sports content. Media outlets that can effectively tap into these new preferences—by offering content that goes beyond the game and focuses on the people behind the sports—will be the ones to thrive in the coming years.

As sports media continues to evolve, the spotlight is now on the athletes’ stories. It’s no longer just about the victory; it’s about the sacrifices, the training, and the emotional journey that led them there. And in this new age of sports media, authenticity is the key to capturing the hearts of Gen Z and future generations.

Pep Guardiola handed fifth loss at home vs Tottenham Hotspurs

Man City boss Pep Guardiola was handed his fifth straight loss in all competition after the loss to Tottenham on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspurs stunned Man City at Etihad Stadium with a 4-0 victory to hand City their fifth loss in all competition and 3rd straight loss in EPL.

This was Guardiola’s biggest losing streak in his managerial career last time he faced a defeat of this magnitude was 4 straight with Barcelona.

“In eight years we have never lived in this kind of situation. Now we must live it and break it by winning the next games, especially the next one. Now we see things in one way, maybe in a few weeks we see it differently.” said Guardiola.

‘We’re a bit fragile, that is obvious. We struggled to score and then we’re playing in our thoughts a little bit of negativity, he added.

Man City will fall eight points behind league leaders Liverpool if Liverpool wins their bout this Sunday against Southampton.

Man City faces Liverpool in matchday 13 on December 1st, if Man City loses to Liverpool they look at a possible 13-point deficit behind current league leaders

Guardiola admitted if he loses the next match against current EPL leaders Liverpool his side will miss a chance to win it all in EPL this year “Yep. In terms of Liverpool winning, winning, yep.”

Kyle Walker, City captain stays optimistic ahead of City’s match against Liverpool he admits the team’s form is off but they still haven’t lost their confidence.

‘It’s a great game to turn it around and take three points from the team who sit above you,’ said Walker. “But we can’t put in a performance like that or we’ll get walked over. I wouldn’t say we’ve lost confidence together. You have to go back to the basics and get a clean sheet”

Injuries continue to cripple Clippers Squad Post Kahwi-PG Duo.

Clippers have arguably been the best team on paper over the last four years but haven’t been able to produce any significant results long-term.

Steve Ballmer was the happiest owner in July 2019 after he secured two superstars Paul George and Kahwi Leonard both in multi-year deals.

George parted ways with the Clippers after agreeing to a 4-year $212M contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Negotiations with the Clippers bore no fruits as Paul felt disrespected despite being offered the same deal as Kahwi (3years, $150 million)as he had requested mid-season. 

Paul requested a no-trade option as he felt he had earned a spot in the Clipper’s future long-term. Despite the Clippers showing interest in a future with PG they werent able to include it in his contract. 

“Can’t take nobody’s word if it ain’t in writing”. Said the 34 yr veteran on his platform Podcast P with Paul George.

After signing with the Sixers, Paul suffered a knee hyperextension during a preseason game with the Hawks.

It has been reported Paul George has bone bruises on the left knee and has no structural damage. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks. It’s unclear the degree of complexity of the injury from the video alone

The media did their best not to make a big deal out of it. There was no replay or mention of him leaving the game, as Paul didn’t return for the second half.

Following Kahwi’s withdrawal from the Olympic squad to follow up on his health, he stays sidelines for an undisclosed amount of time for the start of the 2024-2025 season.

Kahwi continues to rehab from right knee inflammation he suffered at the end of last season and underwent surgery during the offseason.

The Clippers look to run their offense through the three-time NBA scoring champ James Harden whose preseason shape looks promising.

Pro-Athletes…

Daily writing prompt

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

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Achieving career prowess has constantly been seen as the pure definition of success, especially for us from the third world. Education is the key that was bombarded in our brains from the moment we could comprehend language.

It’s not simple nor is it easy to excel in your career without the right support system from financial liberty to emotional bandwidth. The desire to actually do it as it might sometimes be so boring and repetitive and the actual intellectual capabilities.

The life of a pro athlete seems stressful, but that’s the kind of stress I need. Imagine getting paid handsomely to do what you love at the topmost level. To answer the prompt question, Lebron James comes to mind. A true Icon, a billionaire, a name that will be remembered for decades to come, a force to be reckoned with, a king, the G.O.A.T.

He looks like he is having fun. Billionaire status, a family man, great shape, the good fame where your haters can easily be mistaken for jealousy. No real flaws hoping the diddy indictment doesn’t harm Black excellence any further.

Not taking anything away from his hard work and tenacity not to mention how much the man has invested into his body for him to be able to perform at such a high level over such a long period.

He is also a generational talent, the gods chose him! and for him to stand out he had to put in the work to sharpen his gift.

Lebron has stayed at the top of his game with incredible consistency and longevity. He is such an icon to the sporting community at large. He has broken many sporting records and he is still able to stay at the top of his game.

To me, the greatest form of success is making sure you take care of your people, getting to do what you love, and the ability to stay healthy, keep improving, and make a mark on your community and the causes you care for.

Now He gets to play basketball with his son at the highest stage. To be able to do what you love with your son on a global stage is beyond imagination.

vibes and inshallah…

Daily writing prompt

How do you plan your goals?

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It’s simple, prioritize!!

When life gets chaotic no one talks about the everyday nitty gritty we have to deal with. Sometimes staying on course is almost impossible.

New things you need to deal with pop up and the body reminds you constantly it’s okay to just chill.

I see there are apps designed to help people plan better, KUDOS!! to those. As your problems style up, you also need to style up to tackle them.

Just Do It… I have found myself lately wasting time trying to figure out the best way to do things, working in an organization that upholds quality beyond everything, It gets hard to complete tasks as mediocrity is not an option. Just Do It mentality allows me to accumulate drafts that open my mind to new ideas and better ways to execute.

The Olympic Gold Medal May not be as Valuable as You Think.

Are the Olympic Gold Medals made of Gold? 

The Paris 2024 Olympic Gold Medals are not purely gold.

The medals are only gold-coated, the last time the Olympics awarded pure gold was in the 1912 games, over 112 years ago.

The gold medals are made of just 6% pure gold and 94.5% pure silver weighing 529g. 

The Olympic Gold Medal is approximated at $950 making it Ksh 123,000 in the current exchange rates.  

If the medals were purely gold they would cost a whopping $41,161 or Ksh 5.33 Million.

Kenya bags their first Gold in the Paris Olympics with Beatrice Chebet in the 5000m race.

As per the current standings, USA leads the medals chart with 79 total medals, 21 gold medals, and 30 silver medals. Kenya so far only has three medals One gold and one silver.

The Paris Olympics medals are custom-made to symbolize the history and heritage of Paris. Paris jewelry house Chaumet designed the medals.

There is a real piece in the Eiffel Tower as the iron was extracted from the girders of the iconic architecture.

“Each of the Paris Olympics medals also includes real iron pieces embedded in the center of the Eiffel Tower. They were cut from girders and other bits that were swapped out of the Eiffel Tower during renovations and stored for safekeeping” according to Joachim Ronchin, the head of design at the Paris Games organization committee.

The sentimental value that the medal holds is priceless, winning in the Olympics is an honor that any athlete would hold dear.

Games organizers say the metal is all recycled, not newly mined.

Five State Department Officials and Business Owner Arraigned for Fraud Allegations

Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, Nairobi, July 19, 2024 — Today, five employees of the State Department for Correctional Services and the proprietor of Reenn East Africa Company stood trial at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, facing charges of fraud amounting to over Ksh 300 million.

The accused individuals include Mageto Omari Mirieri, Assistant Director of Supply Chain Management; Sarah Kemunto Kerandi, Chief Finance Officer; Moses Juma Sirengo, Senior Accountant; and Erick Kipkirui Mutai, Cleaning Supervisor II. They are joined by Maureen Ndungwa Mwikya, the sole proprietor of Reenn East Africa Company. According to the prosecution, the group allegedly conspired to commit economic crimes by fraudulently acquiring public property totaling Ksh 301,908,000 between July 1, 2014, and March 29, 2018.

In addition to charges of Fraudulent Acquisition of Public Property and Money Laundering, the accused face allegations of Abuse of Office, as per the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, No.3 of 2003.

Principal Magistrate Hon. Celesa Asis Okore presided over the proceedings where the prosecution, led by Celestine Oluoch, advocated for stringent bond terms due to the gravity of the economic crimes alleged.

All accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were subsequently released on a bond of Ksh 7 million each, with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 4 million. Additionally, Magistrate Okore ordered the surrender of their passports or travel documents to the court pending the conclusion of the case.

Meanwhile, the court issued summons to several other individuals linked to the case who failed to appear today. These include Benjamin Obuya Njoga, Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons; Joseph Kamau, Principal Accountant; Humphrey Wende Abok, Accountant I; James Nyang’au Gekobe, Accountant II; and Joseph Ochoki Omaiyo, Warder — all employees of the State Department for Correctional Services. Additionally, Joseph Kariuki and Steven Kisonzo Mulwa were also summoned.

The case is scheduled for mention on August 2, 2024, as the legal process unfolds to address these serious allegations of financial misconduct within the public sector.