Character development describes the process writers form the characters in their writing. However, in Nairobi, character development has a completely different meaning. It’s a common slang used to describe a change in attitude or mentality when someone goes through a difficult experience. There are several situations that can cause character development in Nairobi. Here are some.

Being Cheated On

This one has left many Kenyans scarred for life with some swearing that they can never date a Nairobian again. There’s a common phrase that many who live in this city are familiar with. “Nairobi is one big bedroom.” It’s also a sort-of warning to either keep your partner under close surveillance or avoid dating someone from Nairobi altogether because you may end up heartbroken.  The stories are many, some are funny and some are sad. But we are likely to have covered those stories in The Singlehood Series.

The Singlehood Series: He Lied He Had Erectile Dysfunction Just For Her To Find Out He Was A Serial Cheater

Being A Sidechick

Finding out your man has a side chick is not unusual in Nairobi. In fact, some men might say it’s a way of life and that being loyal to one woman is dropping the ball. It has become so common that this doesn’t even qualify as character development. However, finding out that you’re the side chick when you thought you were the main chick all along will give you major character development. Even when you know your man has multiple girlfriends, most women will prefer to be the main one since it has more privileges than being a side chick.

The Singlehood Series: When You Become His Permanent Side Chick

Losing Your Job

Love aside, most people in Nairobi come to look for employment. We’ll get to how hard it is to get one. However, it’s very hard to survive without a job which makes many people treasure their jobs no matter how toxic it is. Unfortunately, even when you get one, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll have it for long. There are many reasons why someone would lose a job but the fact is, a job loss can cause serious distress, especially in a city where it’s very hard to find another one. Money-Saving Tips to Survive A Loss or Reduction Of Income

Job Hunting

Nairobians often bond over the fact that they have “tarmacked” in this city looking for a job. Job hunting in Nairobi is no joke which is evident from the videos that have surfaced online of hundreds of people showing up for the same job interview. If you ask those people about their job-hunting stories, they’ll tell you how they’ve experienced character development in this city. 7 Tips To Improve Your Job Hunting Process

Being Conned

If you have lived in Nairobi for many years and have never been conned, consider yourself lucky. Some people are welcomed into the city by getting conned. The city is crawling with con artists looking for their next victim. In fact, as you walk around, you can witness a con in play. The moment you get conned, you learn that you should never trust anybody in Nairobi since everyone is out to get money. How I Was Conned In Nairobi

Being Robbed 

Being robbed is very different from getting conned. In some cases, you’d rather get conned. Since Nairobi is a metropolitan city, there are many thugs walking among us looking for an opportunity to relieve someone of their belongings. The most common type of thugs in Nairobi are phone snatchers. However, there are muggers as well who approach their victims and steal their belongings. Whether your phone has been snatched or you’ve been mugged, the character development after you get robbed is real. 8 Safety Tips For Surviving Nairobi’s CBD

Backstabbing Friends

Finding real friends in Nairobi is extremely rare. Most people only care about themselves and will throw anyone under the bus to get ahead. Some don’t want to see other people prosper whether in their careers or relationships. Before you let anyone in your circle, make sure they have your best interest at heart. 8 Friendship Red Flags You Should Look Out For

It’s not all bad news in Nairobi. Check out 10 Places To Take A Girl On A First Date In Nairobi

John Gets Welcomed To Nairobi’s Love Culture At The Institute Of Character Development

He Spent The Whole Date Telling Me How He Has Been Character Developed