From a High Flying Businessman to a Boda Rider on Thika Road: Peter’s Money Story 

It’s a Sunday evening after a long day of house-hunting in Nairobi. At around 7 PM, I board a bus in town, eager to get home and rest before the new workweek begins. I sit there for 30 minutes, but the bus remains mostly empty—no sign of departing anytime soon. Frustration creeps in. I just want to get home, unwind, and get some good sleep.

Eventually, I decide to alight and order a motorbike online instead. Within a few minutes, I receive a call from the rider, letting me know he has arrived. That’s when I met Peter—my rider for the evening. I hop on, and we begin our journey.

As we ride through the city, we exchange small talk, and soon, he starts sharing his story. By the time we reach my destination, I find myself deeply engrossed in his journey—a story of success, loss, and resilience. And I know it’s one worth sharing.

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Peter’s Journey: From Success to Setback

Peter is passionate about photography and videography, and beyond that, he loves biking. In 2022, he was a well-established videographer, covering both public and exclusive events. Business was booming. He made a lot of money and reinvested heavily in upgrading his equipment. Life was good—he paid his bills comfortably, bought the latest gear, and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle.

But then, everything changed.

One night, while he was asleep, his apartment was robbed. He suspects the thieves used some sort of sedative because he didn’t hear a thing. He woke up to find his home emptied—his expensive photography equipment and other valuables gone.

That single incident threw him into a financial crisis. All his wealth had been tied up in his equipment and lifestyle. With no savings, passive income, or financial backup, he found himself with nothing. The only money he had left was what he had earned from an event the previous day—an amount that couldn’t sustain him for more than a month.

Determined to rebuild, he attempted to continue his videography business by renting equipment from friends. Some were kind enough to help, but the cost of hiring the gear quickly became unsustainable. It drained him financially, and soon, he realized he needed to explore other ways to survive.

In a tough but necessary decision, Peter sold his motorbike—the last valuable thing he owned. The money gave him a little breathing room, but it wasn’t enough to restart his business. He knew he needed to get creative. Swallowing his pride, Peter began taking small freelance jobs. He edited videos for content creators, managed social media for local businesses, and even took on corporate gigs that he once would have turned down. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was survival.

Bouncing Back: A New Beginning

Fast forward three years to 2025—Peter’s life looks very different.

Today, he owns a small restaurant along Thika Road, has bought a motorbike to do ride-hailing services in his free time, and continues to pursue his passion for photography and videography as a side hustle. Though he is still working to regain his 2022 financial status, he now has a more diversified approach to income.

More importantly, he has learned valuable financial lessons—lessons he shared with me that night.

Lessons from Peter’s Experience

1. Invest Wisely
   Investing isn’t just about spending money on things that generate income—it’s about making informed decisions based on long-term financial goals and risk tolerance. While Peter invested in his business, he didn’t consider diversifying his investments beyond photography. Had he put money into other assets or passive income sources, his financial setback wouldn’t have been as severe.

2. Have an Emergency Fund
   Life is unpredictable. An emergency fund acts as a safety net when the unexpected happens. Peter’s experience was a harsh reminder that we can’t always predict misfortunes, but we can prepare for them.

3. Insure Valuable Assets
   If you own high-value, theft-prone assets—whether it's photography equipment, electronics, or even a business—insurance is crucial. A policy could have helped Peter recover faster after the burglary.
   
   

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A Ride That Made Me Reflect

An hour passes, and we are still parked at the gate of my house, deep in conversation. Peter’s story lingers in my mind long after our ride ends. It makes me reflect on my own financial habits—am I investing wisely? Do I have a safety net for emergencies? Am I financially prepared for the unexpected?

That Sunday evening ride is more than just a trip home. It is a lesson in resilience, financial planning, and the importance of securing one’s future.

And maybe, just maybe, Peter’s story will make you think about yours too.

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