Tiktok
From Parking Drama to Digital Stardom: The Unlikely Rise of a Nairobi Content Creator
When a Nairobi businesswoman decided to teach a parking attendant a lesson last year, she had no idea it would catapult her into viral stardom. What started as a frustrated reaction to what she perceived as harassment turned Gloria Ntazola into one of Kenya's most talked-about TikTok personalities almost overnight. The video showed her refusing to let a "kanjo" (a local term for county parking enforcers) out of her car until she'd driven him all the way to Kitengela - a journey of nearly 30 kilometers from central Nairobi. Her unapologetic attitude and bold delivery resonated with thousands of Kenyans who've faced similar frustrations with city officials, sparking debates across social media platforms.
Gloria's story is particularly interesting because she wasn't seeking fame. A genuine entrepreneur with businesses including a beauty salon and clothing store in Nairobi, she was simply documenting what she saw as standing up for herself. Born around 1997-1998, she represents a new wave of Kenyan content creators who blend business savvy with social commentary. Her coastal Ngiriama heritage adds another layer to her identity in Kenya's diverse digital landscape. What makes her relatable is how she presents herself - not as a polished influencer but as a regular businesswoman who found herself in an extraordinary situation, complete with the messy emotions and imperfect decisions that come with it.
The aftermath of her viral moment proved challenging. Her original TikTok account got permanently banned (reportedly after hitting 100k followers), forcing her to rebuild from scratch with her current @ntazola.gloria handle. She's been transparent about the consequences, even apologizing for the harsh language used in that fateful video while maintaining her stance on the incident itself. During an NTV interview with Brian Muchiri, she explained her actions weren't about humiliation but "instilling manners" - a phrase that became part of Kenya's social media lexicon. Her authenticity in discussing the fallout, including claims about her boyfriend's financial support (which many doubted), created both supporters and critics in equal measure.
What keeps Gloria's content compelling is how she's evolved beyond that single viral moment. She's embraced her plus-size figure with confidence, sharing fashion tips and body-positive messages that resonate with many Kenyan women. Her videos often mix business advice with personal anecdotes - like discussing how she manages multiple ventures while navigating sudden online fame. There's a refreshing lack of pretense in her delivery; you can sometimes hear background noise from her salon or catch glimpses of her team reacting off-camera. This raw, unfiltered approach has cultivated a loyal following that appreciates her realness in a space often dominated by overly curated content.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Gloria has hinted at political aspirations, revealing plans to run for Nairobi county woman representative in 2027. Whether she'll follow through remains to be seen, but her viral moment tapped into genuine public frustrations with local governance - something savvy politicians have noticed. For now, she continues building her brand as both entrepreneur and content creator, proving that sometimes the most unexpected moments can redefine your path. As she often says in her videos while adjusting her signature headwrap: "Life takes turns you never expect, but you learn to drive with them."
