A social experiment conducted by a Kenyan TikToker, Mr. Mwema, has shed light on the daily earnings of Burundian hawkers in Machakos, Kenya. On September 23, 2026, Mr. Mwema embarked on an undercover mission, posing as a Burundian hawker to gauge the attitudes of locals and determine the daily earnings of such vendors. He spent a full day and night on the streets of Machakos selling doughnuts and coffee.
The experiment was designed to answer two key questions: how much do Burundian hawkers earn in a day, and how do Kenyans treat them amidst reported tensions surrounding their presence in the country. Mr. Mwema started with an initial stock outlay of KSh 670, aiming to sell four buckets of doughnuts and three flasks of coffee to turn a profit. He employed a layered strategy, approaching small groups in open spaces, then moving to a beauty salon, a bar, and finally taking to the streets as sunset approached.
Throughout the day, Mr. Mwema encountered several customers who bought multiple items in a single transaction. However, his cover was almost blown when a woman recognized him from his online work, creating an awkward moment. A handful of customers inquired about his nationality, but the interactions remained verbally curious, with no physical confrontations recorded.
As night fell, Mr. Mwema faced new challenges, including dropping temperatures and fatigue. He discovered he had mistakenly purchased oversized cups for the evening stock, resulting in a loss of over KSh 100 in potential revenue. To salvage the situation, he bought 10 additional cups of coffee for KSh 150, hoping to yield a KSh 50 profit on that batch.
Despite his efforts, Mr. Mwema's experiment ended with a net loss of KSh 80 after a full day of hustle. Total spending across restocks came to KSh 1,240, while total revenue collected was KSh 1,160. He gave away the remaining stock to customers and reflected on the experience, describing Kenyans as "amazing people."
However, Mr. Mwema noted that real Burundian hawkers who do this every day may not share the same relatively peaceful reception he encountered. The experiment was documented in a video, which has been shared online. The findings of this experiment have not been officially commented on by local authorities or Burundian hawker associations.
The social experiment by Mr. Mwema has sparked interest in the lives of Burundian hawkers in Kenya, highlighting the challenges they face and the interactions they have with locals. The video of the experiment has been well-received online, with many users commending Mr. Mwema for his initiative and candor.
Key points
- A Kenyan TikToker made a KSh 80 loss after posing as a Burundian hawker in Machakos.
- The experiment aimed to determine the daily earnings of Burundian hawkers and locals' attitudes towards them.
- Mr. Mwema spent a full day and night selling goods, documenting his experience and interactions with customers.
