More Than a Restaurant

Southern Vibes is more than just a restaurant for me — it's part of my journey.

I've been working in the food and hospitality industry for a long time, and the journey hasn't always been easy. I've invested, I've taken risks, and I've lost money more than once. There were moments when I questioned whether I should continue.

But at the same time, this industry is how I make my bread. I didn't really have another option except to keep going, keep learning, and try again. So giving up was never really a choice for me.

Every setback taught me something — about the industry, about people, and about myself.

Then I started seeing the potential in Parklands. Nairobi has such a diverse food culture, but I felt there was still an opportunity to bring authentic South Indian food in a way that felt fresh, welcoming and full of soul. South Indian food has so much character — the spices, the aromas, the dosas, idlis, curries and traditional flavours. I wanted people to experience not just the food, but the warmth and feeling behind it.

Looking back, I believe everything happened for a reason. Sometimes you lose money, sometimes a plan doesn't work, and at that moment you think you have failed. But later you realise that maybe God was simply redirecting you.

For me, Southern Vibes came at the right place and the right time. I saw the opportunity in Parklands, I trusted what I had learned through all my years in this industry, and I decided to try again.

So Southern Vibes is really a story of resilience, faith and starting again. I don't see my earlier losses as failures anymore. They were lessons that prepared me for this chapter.

In one way, you can say Southern Vibes was a business decision. But in another way, I truly believe it was God's plan.