Beyond The Smoke and Civil Unrest - Okello's Resilience in the Heat of Protests in Nairobi

When a Simple Plan Meets an Unpredictable Day

In June 2024, under the bright Nairobi sun, Millicent Okello set out with a straightforward plan. She had an early-morning appointment in the Central Business District (CBD), which she expected to wrap up by 10 a.m. Her goal was to return home promptly and prepare for a virtual exam scheduled for the following day. But the city had other plans. Little did she know that that day marked the beginning of the Gen Z protests sweeping across Nairobi and, soon afterwards, across the nation. What started as a routine outing for Millicent quickly turned into a chaotic and unforgettable experience—one that would test her resilience, adaptability, and faith in humanity.

Caught in the Crossfire

Just as Millicent was exiting the building after her appointment, a loud, jarring bang echoed through the streets. Panic erupted. A wave of people surged back into the building, fleeing from the chaos outside. Tear gas filled the air. Confusion reigned. She had already requested an Uber, but the driver cancelled due to roadblocks. Every attempt to secure another ride failed. She was stranded in the middle of a city in turmoil. Eventually, Millicent found a driver willing to navigate the unrest. But reaching him wasn’t easy. It required walking several blocks through clouds of tear gas, manoeuvring through panicked crowds, and dodging police barricades. Her eyes burned, her ears rang, and her vision blurred from the fumes. Amid the confusion, she stumbled and dropped her phone. Disoriented and in pain, she was helped by a stranger who splashed water on her face to ease the burning in her eyes. That small act of kindness became a lifeline.

One Shoe, One Step at a Time

As she regained her composure, Millicent noticed one of her shoes was missing, flung across the road during the chaos. When she attempted to retrieve it, a police officer stopped her, suspicious of her intentions. After a tense exchange, he let her go, but the situation worsened. The Uber she had managed to secure was cancelled again. Now barefoot on one foot, with swollen feet and no transportation, Millicent faced a difficult choice. She began the long walk home—a two-hour journey on foot, through a city still reeling from unrest. What could have been a moment of despair became a powerful lesson in endurance.

Lessons from the Streets

Millicent’s unexpected ordeal became more than just a story of survival. It became a moment of deep reflection and growth. As she walked home, she processed the experience and drew four key lessons that would stay with her long after the tear gas had cleared:

1. Resilience Finds You in the Chaos

Resilience isn’t something you plan for—it finds you in the moments when everything falls apart. When control slips from your hands and comfort disappears, it’s inner strength that carries you forward. Millicent didn’t choose to be resilient that day; she simply had no other option. And in that necessity, she discovered just how strong she truly was.

2. Adaptability Is Survival

Her carefully laid plans dissolved in an instant. The ability to adapt—to let go of expectations and respond to the moment—became essential. Millicent learned that adaptability isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival skill. In a world that changes rapidly and often without warning, flexibility is power.

3. Kindness Is a Lifeline

The stranger who poured water over her eyes may never know the impact of that simple gesture. But to Millicent, it was everything. It reminded her that even in the darkest moments, humanity shines through. A small act of kindness can be the difference between despair and hope.

4. Every Step Counts

Walking home with one shoe, through pain and exhaustion, Millicent realised that progress doesn’t always look graceful. Sometimes, it’s messy, slow, and uncomfortable. But every step forward—no matter how small or painful—is still a step toward safety, healing, and growth.

Point of Reflection

Have you ever been caught in a moment where everything went wrong, yet you found strength you didn’t know you had?

Think about a time when your plans unravelled and you had to adapt on the fly. What did you learn about yourself? Who showed you kindness when you needed it most—and how can you pay that forward?

Millicent’s story is a reminder that resilience isn’t built in comfort. It’s forged in fire, in the unexpected, and in the moments that test our limits.

Lesson to Learn

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but your response can still shape your path. Resilience, adaptability, and kindness are not just traits; they are tools for navigating a world that often surprises us. When things fall apart, these tools help us rebuild. Millicent Okello’s experience in Nairobi is more than a personal anecdote—it’s a universal lesson. It speaks to anyone who has faced disruption, fear, or uncertainty. It reminds us that even in the most chaotic moments, we can find clarity, strength, and purpose.

Keep Walking

Millicent didn’t expect to walk (in the literal sense) home that day. She didn’t expect to lose a shoe, face tear gas, or be questioned by police. But she did expect to keep going—and that’s exactly what she did. Her story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure, adapt, and grow. It’s a call to all of us to keep walking, even when the road is rough.

Because sometimes, the most powerful lessons come not from the destination, but from the journey itself.