Diana Marua recently recounted an encounter with street families while she was stuck in traffic in Nairobi’s CBD. During her wait along the Uhuru Highway, some beggars noticed her and began banging on her car windows, pleading for money. Frustrated, Diana decided to offer them KSh 1,000 to be split among them, thinking it would help in the short term. However, things took a turn when they rejected her offer, demanding KSh 10,000 instead.
The incident, which Diana shared on her Instagram Stories, unfolded when she was stuck in traffic near the University of Nairobi. A group of women approached her car, asking for assistance to feed their children and purchase necessities like diapers. She felt overwhelmed by the situation as she had little to no space to move in the traffic and was surrounded by the group on both sides of the car.
In an attempt to help, Diana asked for a phone number to send the money. At first, no one could provide one. But when one person finally gave her a contact, she began transferring the KSh 1,000. Just as she was completing the transaction, another individual demanded KSh 10,000, saying that KSh 1,000 was insufficient. This request left Diana visibly annoyed. She felt that the audacity of the demand was too much, considering that the individuals had approached her as beggars, in a situation where they had no right to make such a specific demand.
In response, Diana expressed her frustration, pointing out that beggars should not be choosy. She firmly stated that it wasn’t right for someone in a desperate situation to reject a gift because it didn’t meet their expectations. Diana, who works hard to create content and earn a living, found it disrespectful to be asked for more, especially when she was already making an effort to help. She decided to drive off, making it clear that such demands were not acceptable.
This incident sparked a broader reflection on entitlement and respect. Diana felt that, rather than expressing gratitude, some individuals were taking advantage of her generosity. She also emphasized that anyone in need should approach others with humility and not demand anything, especially when they are in a vulnerable position. According to her, this experience highlighted the importance of showing gratitude for whatever help is offered, regardless of the amount.
