Kenyan content creator Thickyy Sandra has sparked widespread debate after comparing parts of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to less affluent neighbourhoods in Dubai during a recent livestream.
While walking through the city centre, Sandra said Nairobi reminded her of what she described as “a ghetto in Dubai,” adding that she did not necessarily mean it negatively.
”I feel like I’m in a ghetto in Dubai,though not in a bad way.”
The clip quickly spread across TikTok, Instagram and X, attracting thousands of views and generating mixed reactions from Kenyans online.
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Sandra’s comments came after her recent visit to Dubai, where she shared content from the United Arab Emirates, and she drew comparisons between the two cities upon her return to Kenya.
Online reactions split
The video prompted contrasting responses across social media. Some users agreed with Sandra’s observations, arguing that Nairobi’s CBD has changed over the years and no longer reflects the image of a modern African city.
Several commenters cited congestion, ageing infrastructure and overcrowding as reasons they understood her comparison.
purva_berry:Hapo nayo ni ukweli 😂😂😂😂nairobi aint city no more . it's more of ghetto
stanley_blaker:iyo ghetto ya dubai ni safi kushinda Nairobi mzima uyu anasema nini😂🫴🫴
Others dismissed the remarks, saying comparing Nairobi to Dubai was unfair because the two cities have developed under different economic and historical circumstances.
Many users also responded with humour, turning Sandra’s statement into memes and jokes, while others reminded her that Nairobi remains her home and urged her to appreciate the city despite its shortcomings.
“Nairobi ain’t a city anymore,” some commenters wrote in agreement, while others replied that “this is still home.”
Rangu_kenn:Unfortunately huku gettoh ndio kwenu mamaa hutazikwa dubai😂😂
Conversation extends beyond the video.
Sandra’s remarks have continued to fuel discussions online, with many users debating whether the comparison reflected the reality of Nairobi’s changing urban landscape or simply highlighted differing expectations shaped by international travel.
Although opinions remain divided, the viral clip has once again placed Nairobi’s image and urban development at the centre of public conversation.
