I’ve always had big dreams. Growing up in a small village near Thika, I imagined moving to town, building a better life, and helping my family. Thika, with its industries, pineapple farms, and the famous Thika Superhighway, seemed like the perfect place to start. But as I soon learned, chasing dreams is never easy.

After finishing college, I came back to Thika full of hope. I rented a small apartment in Makongeni, an area where many people in my situation lived, and started applying for jobs. Days turned into weeks, then months, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t land anything solid. My savings dried up, and the rent was overdue. I felt like I was drowning.

One evening, I decided to get out and clear my head. I headed to Klub Image, one of the popular joints in Thika. Sitting there, sipping a cold Tusker, I struck up a conversation with a woman named Lorna. She was different—confident, well-dressed, and full of life. As we talked, I shared my frustrations about the job search, and she listened closely.

"Thika isn’t easy if you don’t have connections," she said, with a knowing smile. "But there are other ways to make money."

"What do you mean?" I asked, thinking maybe she was talking about starting a small business or something along those lines.

She leaned in slightly and lowered her voice. "Have you ever thought about escorting?"

I was caught off guard. "Escorting? Isn’t that, you know... prostitution?" I stammered, feeling a bit uneasy.

Lorna just laughed and shook her head. "Not really. Here in Thika, there are lots of people, especially businessmen from Nairobi or even local big shots, who just want companionship. Someone to talk to, someone to spend time with. And trust me, it pays well."

I had never considered something like that, but the way she explained it made me think. Thika, being so close to Nairobi, attracted all sorts of people—businessmen, tourists, and wealthy individuals traveling for work or leisure. After a lot of sleepless nights, I decided to give it a shot.

Lorna introduced me to a local escort agency that operated discreetly. They had a reputation for professionalism, and after a few meetings, I decided to take the plunge. My first client was a businessman staying at Coconut Grill Hotel, a place I’d passed by many times but never imagined stepping into for work. I was nervous, unsure of what to expect.

To my surprise, the client didn’t want anything physical. He just wanted someone to talk to, to relieve his stress. By the end of the night, I had more money in my pocket than I’d expected, and I started to think, "Maybe this isn’t so bad after all."

As time went on, I got more comfortable in the role. I met clients at places like Thika Greens Golf Resort, where the rich came to relax, or at high-end hotels in Nairobi, just a short drive away. Some clients were tourists passing through on their way to Fourteen Falls, others were local business moguls looking for a bit of company after a long day.

One day, a friend of mine caught up with me at Blue Post Hotel and asked, "Yo bro, how’s the hustle going in Thika?"

"Not bad at all, just grinding," I replied casually, mixing Kikuyu and Swahili slang. "Here, it’s all about using your brains. If you know how to play your cards right, you’ll make it."

I started getting regular clients, meeting them at popular spots like Pork City and Kiboko Grill, where people gathered for nyama choma and drinks. I quickly learned how to choose my clients carefully, and my discretion earned me a good reputation. I always maintained my boundaries and made sure I stayed safe.

Before long, life improved. I moved from my cramped apartment in Makongeni to a more comfortable place in Section 9, one of the nicer areas in Thika. I could finally send money home to help my family, and I even covered my siblings’ school fees. It wasn’t the path I had imagined for myself, but it was working, and I had learned that sometimes life takes unexpected turns.

Still, I knew this wasn’t a permanent solution. I often told myself, "This is just a temporary hustle. I can’t do this forever." Escorting gave me financial stability, but I was always thinking about the next step, about how I would transition out of this life when the time was right.

For now, though, Thika was home. With clients coming from Nairobi via the Thika Superhighway, and local clients finding me in popular hangouts, I had settled into a rhythm. It was a risky choice, but I didn’t regret it. This journey had taught me more about people, relationships, and survival than I ever thought possible.