If you ask Susan Mukami who she is, this is what she will likely say ,”I am an idealist, an emotional dreamer. A spiritual pamphlet. I know a life of festival, music, words and coffee & tea, sunrises and shades with a million raindrops. I am grounded to the soil of which I came from. I am a universe. A universe with wartime medals imprinted with pride on my chest and courage emanating from my skin. I am a goddess encapsulated in a densely melanated work of art.”
True to her words, she is an embodiment of a go-getter, someone who dreams and works or what she desires. Starting as a writer for Potentash, she has grown to become a house hold name, and one of the best bloggers in the Kenyan blogosphere. Her pride and joy, Kenyan Collective, has gone to become on of the most read blog in Kenya. We spoke to her, and this is what she had to say.
Give us a brief profile of yourself.
My name is Susan Mukami, creator of and Managing editor at Kenyan Collective; an up and coming lifestyle blog. I love coffee, words, travel and most of all dogs. I really really really really really love dogs!
Share something interesting about your self.
I’ve always wanted to and I still want to open dog shelters around the country. It breaks my heart to see how we treat stray dogs/animals and I wish we were kinder to them.
What was your first phone?
It was my dad’s Nokia 3310, he then got me a Sony flip phone (can’t remember the make lol)
What attracted/ inspired you into blogging?
I’ve always loved how words express our deepest feelings and emotions and writing always came naturally to me. After I was introduced to the world of blogging and saw the different people I could meet and places I could go, it drew me even more to the industry.
What accomplishments are you proud of most?
Starting Kenyan Collective. I actually made this decision in a tent in the middle of the night at the Lewa Conservancy. That was quite the night! I’ve had moments of doubt with the blog where I thought I couldn’t continue running the blog, but I’m really proud of how I’ve kept it together and done the things I’ve done so far.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Phew. This is a tough one. I’d say curious, unpredictable and intoxicating!
What is your fav food, song, book, movie?
Favourite food: Any type of meat to be honest {especially sea food, yummmm} but not the weird kinds of meat you find in other parts of the world like Scotland (catch me dead eating haggis)
Song: At last by Etta James
Book: I’ll say all books by the late Charles Bukowski. I love his writing. He’s so open and raw!
Movie: Anything by Johnny Depp
If you could time travel, where would you go?
The 70s or 80s. I’d have wished to be in that era to party as hard as they did.
If you were not a blogger, what would you be instead?
A dog rescuer (if there is such a profession) and a world traveller drinking the finest wine and eating expensive chocolates.
Where do you see yourself, in five years?
I’ve always wanted to solo travel, then Covid-19 happened and we honestly don’t know how the world will look like then, but I’m still crossing my fingers that this will come true!
Any interesting hobbies, obsessions?
I don’t know if I can call this an obsession but I find it hard staying with one hairstyle for a long period of time. I love experimenting with my hair (but nothing extreme like dying my hair yellow or green)
Is there a quote/mantra you live by?
Do what/who you love while you can.
If you were a superhero, who would you be and why?
Storm. A character from Marvel Comics. She’s really hot haha, her hair is superb and she’s one of the most powerful mutants on the planet.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Do it. Whatever is holding you back will still hang over you even when you don’t do it. Push through it, no matter how small of an effort you make, just keep pushing.
Well, you heard it from the boss herselfu. Catch her online on Facebook @KenyanCollective and Twitter on @KenCollective. Also, go to Kenyan Collective for the latest posts on her blog.