Dennis Munyao, known to many as Afande Denno, was once part of the Kenya Police Service. These days, he can be found at his small roadside stand in Imara Daima, easily turning over steaming cobs of boiled maize and greeting his customers.
His shift from a career in law enforcement to running his own street business was a personal decision, shaped by his beliefs, pressures he faced, and a change in his life’s priorities.
Denno first caught the public’s eye during the 2024 Gen Z protests. While still working as an officer, he openly connected with the demonstrators, explaining that his stance was based on supporting peaceful expression.
He recalls times when he helped ease tensions, even putting out fires near Kware Police Station. However, these actions led to disagreements with his superiors.
Soon after, he was transferred to Dadaab, a move he believed was meant as a punishment. He then faced repeated inquiries about his conduct and his activity online.
Feeling restricted and dealing with personal issues at home, Denno chose to leave the force. His departure was not smooth, marked by internal pushback and uncertainty about what his future would hold.
With encouragement from friends, family, and even his online followers, he gradually started fresh. A basic setup was all he needed to get going.
Cooking pots came from a friend, a stove was provided by former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, and his first supply of maize was given by someone he had once assisted. Today, he mentions being able to sell over 200 pieces of maize in a single day.
Denno speaks about his journey without any regrets. He shares that while he valued his time in service, he has now embraced a different path. Beyond his business, he hopes to mentor young men, helping them find stability.
Looking ahead, he is considering running for a local political position, driven by a desire to more directly influence his community.