In Kenya, social media platform TikTok, once known primarily for dance challenges and comedy skits, is rapidly evolving into something more powerful: a decentralized tool for community fundraising and grassroots support.

The platform is increasingly becoming a meeting point for desperation and empathy, where ordinary Kenyans rally to support strangers they may never meet.

A Kenyan businesswoman, Hariet Akinyi, is one of the beneficiaries of Kenya's TikTok-driven generosity, using the platform to highlight urgent needs.

Her restaurant in Nakuru County was on the brink of closure, weighed down by mounting debts and dwindling foot traffic.

With bills piling up and no working capital left, Hariet found herself unable to pay her employees. Faced with the possibility of shutting down, she made a last-minute decision that would change everything — she turned to TikTok.

Within hours, her emotional appeal went viral. Messages of encouragement flooded in. So did financial contributions. Even nearby residents showed up in person to support her business, buying meals and spreading the word.

"That was the moment when Kenyans came through for me," she says. "God used Kenyans to come through for me, and I am grateful for that because now I am where I am. I am no longer selling the business as I had mentioned or requested."

Hariet's story is not an isolated one.

Geofrey Mosiria, a chief officer at the Nairobi City County Government, has witnessed this transformation firsthand.

With more than 1.8 million followers on TikTok, Mosiria says he has successfully mobilized funds for numerous individuals in need. He recalls one particular case in which he helped raise more than $2,000 for a woman who required urgent medical attention.

"It's how you use it," he says. "To me, I feel it's a platform you can use to mobilize resources to help others."

As more Kenyans turn to TikTok to share their struggles and extend a helping hand, the platform is steadily redefining its role in society — proving that beyond the trends and entertainment, it has become a digital bridge for generosity, solidarity, and real-life impact.

Edited by CGTN Africa's reporter Dinah Matengo