A UK tourist stranded in Nairobi during protests finally recovers his stolen passport
A British national who had been stuck in Nairobi after losing his passport during the recent anti-government protests finally has a reason to smile. The missing travel document has been returned — quietly and without fuss — at the caretaker’s office of his Nairobi residence.
Kenyan online personality Thithad, who had been leading a social media appeal to help the tourist, confirmed the recovery through a video that’s now doing rounds online.
“The passport is back. Someone left it at the gate. Thank you, Kenyans,” Thithad said as he held up the document.
The tourist, identified as Cliff Hirneisen, had become a symbol of vulnerability amid chaos after he was robbed during the protests. A video showing him seated alone on the street, confused and empty-handed, quickly gained attention.
With no ID, no money, and no embassy support at the time, Cliff had nowhere to go — until Thithad stepped in.
Rescued by Nairobi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs’
The content creator, known for combining satire with real-life humanitarian efforts, took Cliff into his bedsitter apartment, fed him, and used his platforms to appeal for help.
“This guy didn’t even know where his next meal would come from,” Thithad had said in an earlier emotional video.
He nicknamed himself “Kenya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs” for his role — a title the internet quickly embraced.
Kenyans from all corners showed up. Some donated, others offered to help track the passport. The hashtags around Cliff’s name gained momentum, and within a few days — as if karma listened — the passport reappeared.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for returning it, but the gesture spoke volumes.
While Cliff’s case may now be headed for a happy ending, many see it as a reminder of what unity and empathy can achieve, especially in hard times.
For now, Nairobi’s “lost tourist” isn’t lost anymore, and one humble Kenyan content creator just proved again why the internet isn’t always a bad place.
