It would appear that I cannot scroll through my socials without coming across a post about the increased rate of racism in Kenya. Every week, there is a new person(s) sharing their experiences of discrimination based on race.

Just a couple of weeks ago, a biracial woman complained about racism at a famous farmer's market in Nairobi despite being biracial herself. The young woman shared her disbelief on TikTok as the vendor snatched the very item she was holding just to sell it to a white woman who came in after her. Even though she has a white mother and a Kenyan father, she was made to feel less valued by the Kenyan vendor, who prioritised a white customer over her.

A couple of days ago, a Muslim content creator in Mombasa was lamenting on how racism and colourism are a big problem in Mombasa. Her video sparked outrage and debate over the week among Mombasa residents. The content creator was upset because her 10-year-old daughter had experienced discrimination at the mosque, where a mother told her child not to pray next to the dark child. Her daughter was so distressed, she said she would not go to the mosque alone anymore.

Today, a woman appeared on my TikTok feed, complaining about racism at a certain popular café at the mall in Mombasa. This one is not news to us who live there because every week, it seems people are having bad experiences with the place. The irony? We love eating at this place once in a while. My family has eaten at this establishment many times. We have taken the elders and the children there as well, and we have not had issues.

Yes, the favoritism over the palm-coloured folks is evident. In fact, for those of us who grew up in the area, this restaurant was infamously known as a pick-up spot for old white men and ‘working girls’. They spent a lot of time and money rebranding it into a family-friendly eatery. However, it seems that some of their staff lack proper training and get annoyed to serve black patrons, but are willing to bend over backwards to serve white diners with a smile on their face.

Although most would argue that because of my complexion, I get the better end of the deal when dining out or when dealing with people who would otherwise discriminate against me, I can say with most certainty that I have had my fair share of discrimination in our motherland. Although I spent most of my adult life roaming the diaspora, some of the discrimination I have faced at home is unmatched.

I have long stopped going to Swahili/Coasterian-run salons because of the colourism, texturism and discrimination one faces when they do not fall into the category of conventional beauty. Imagine getting a treatment with snide remarks of how curly your hair is or how big your hands are. I realised at a very young age I was okay not fitting into the crowd because I did not have it in me to go through thinly covered insults that diminished my looks.

In the service industry, I have also been mistreated like many Kenyans. I have written many articles over the years of my experiences in these resorts. Fortunately, the discrimination is not as blatant as watching a fellow Kenyan degrade himself by bending over backwards for the tourists and white people. The worst part is we all know that white people are the worst tippers in the country, and that they enjoy watching us treat them like kings.

As I've grown older, I have learnt the value of my hard-earned money. I go where I am wanted and where I enjoy myself. I stay at the same resort multiple times a year because I know they treat every guest the same. I eat at the same establishments whenever I feel like dining out.

I do not jump on the trend bandwagon to go out and try new places and experience new things, including a huge helping of discrimination; no thanks. I go to the same two salonists. If I were to try a new place, I read the online reviews thoroughly before visiting it.

And, of course, with age and wisdom, I do not fail to call out the BS loudly. I will call your manager and I will make sure my complaint is heard. I will leave a review for future patrons, then never visit the establishment again.