Harriet Karimi Muriithi on Life in Kenya | Conversations with Tyler

Summary

In this episode of 'Conversations with Tyler,' host Tyler Cowen engages in a deep and insightful dialogue with Harriet Mory, a 22-year-old hostess and waitress from Nairobi, Kenya. Harriet shares her experiences and perspectives on the vibrant city of Nairobi, its culture, politics, and the daily life of its inhabitants. She discusses her passion for the hospitality sector, her love for reading, watching movies, and the blend of traditional and modern influences in Kenyan society. The conversation delves into topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on Kenya, the challenges of starting a business, the evolving food scene, and Harriet's aspirations for the future, including her dreams of owning a high-end restaurant and her thoughts on technology's role in society.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ Sam introduces two bonus episodes of 'Conversations with Tyler' focusing on Nairobi, Kenya, highlighting daily life, culture, and politics.
• 👩 Harriet Mory, a 22-year-old hostess and waitress at Roast by Carnivore in Tatu City, shares her experiences and perspectives on living and working in Nairobi.
• 🏙️ Harriet chose to live in Nairobi for its opportunities and convenience, and she is proud of the city's growth and development.
• 🌄 Harriet's village, Kumi, is near Mount Kenya, known for its spectacular views and suitable climate for cash crops like coffee and tea.
• 📚 Harriet has interests in the hospitality sector, loves reading books, watching movies, and traveling, and she speaks Kikuyu, English, and a bit of Italian.
• 🍝 Harriet enjoys Italian food and is fascinated by the job opportunities and pay in Italy, though she has never been there.
• 🎶 She likes various types of music, including Beyoncé and Nigerian Afrobeats, and she creates TikTok videos about her daily life and work.
• 🍖 The restaurant Harriet works at, Roast by Carnivore, primarily serves different types of meat, and she has a preference for beef.
• 🌍 Harriet is ambitious, with an 8.5 out of 10 rating on a scale of ambition, and dreams of owning her high-end restaurant someday.
• 📈 Harriet observes that the cost of living in Nairobi has increased and criticizes the government's management, suggesting a need for change.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the conversation in this transcript?

The main topic of the conversation is the daily life, culture, and politics of Nairobi and Kenya as a whole, with a focus on the experiences of Harriet Mory, a young woman working in Tatu City, and her perspectives on various aspects of Kenyan society.

What is Harriet Mory's occupation and where does she work?

Harriet Mory is a 22-year-old waitress and hostess working at a restaurant called Roast by Carnivore, located in Tatu City.

What are Harriet's interests and hobbies?

Harriet has strong interests in the hospitality sector, loves reading books, watching movies, and traveling. She also has a fascination with technology and is an extroverted individual who enjoys social media platforms like TikTok.

How does Harriet feel about Nairobi as a city?

Harriet finds Nairobi interesting and full of opportunities, both career-wise and in terms of personal enjoyment. She appreciates the city's growth and development and is proud of its progress.

What are Harriet's thoughts on the education system in Kenya?

Harriet believes that the education system in Kenya could be improved by returning to the 8-4-4 system and focusing more on core subjects like math, reading, and writing to ensure a strong foundation for all students.

How does Harriet view the influence of technology on society?

Harriet sees technology as a double-edged sword. While it has made work easier and provided platforms for learning and communication, she also acknowledges that it can lead to job loss and a potential over-reliance on AI for tasks that were traditionally done by humans.

What are Harriet's thoughts on the role of women in Kenyan society?

Harriet believes that women in Kenya have strong rights and are treated well, with equal opportunities in leadership and the freedom to express their opinions. However, she notes that in her village, women's rights are not as advanced, with many women focusing on home and family life rather than pursuing careers or education.

How does Harriet feel about the British colonial history of Kenya?

Harriet acknowledges that the British colonial period taught Kenyans certain things, like Christianity and education, but she also recognizes that the British treated the local population poorly. She sees the impact of colonialism as a mix of positive and negative influences.

What are Harriet's views on the current political and economic situation in Kenya?

Harriet expresses concern about the cost of living in Nairobi and the government's role in managing the economy. She believes that a change in government is needed to improve the situation and that both structural changes and voting for different parties could be part of the solution.

What are Harriet's future aspirations?

Harriet aspires to own her own high-end restaurant someday, where she can provide memorable experiences for her guests. She is also interested in learning more about technology to keep up with the evolving job market and to potentially become self-employed.

How does Harriet describe her experience with the COVID-19 pandemic?

Harriet found the COVID-19 pandemic to be a challenging time, as it delayed her school year and made social interactions difficult due to social distancing measures. She mentions that many people became jobless and that the pandemic affected people's mental health and their ability to connect with one another.