Arise Media 
As the door to Moses Njeru’s tea shop swings open at Gitare Market of Runyenjes Constituency, Embu County, locals enter one after another settling into their accustomed seats.
Njeru, also known as Nuu (Noah), with his ever-graceful demeanor, welcomes them with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with familiarity as he greets each patron by name.
The hotelier, a beloved fixture of the community, moves with practiced ease behind the counter and expertly picks tea flasks with the precision and care of a seasoned tradesman.
With a deft hand, the hotelier serves each glass of tea with a smile, his movements as fluid as the ebb and flow of conversation that fills the room.
As the locals take their first sips, a collective sigh of contentment fills the air, a silent acknowledgment of the comfort and solace that can only be found in the simple pleasure of a shared cup of tea.
Although Njeru acquired his nickname, Nuu, during his time in school, it has stuck to date.
“I acquired the nickname in primary school. Just like Noah was God’s point man who saved people using the ark, I was the teachers’ point man who represented learners and had them forgiven their trespasses. Due to this, learners nicknamed me Nuu, ” he reveals.
The trader left school in class six due to fee challenges. Thinking of the next move in his life, Nuu worked as a laborer in different places, including a coffee shop where he learned professional tea blending skills.
Through his menial jobs, Nuu acquired a driving license that landed him a job as a matatu driver. He successfully worked and purchased his matatu.
“After a while, I learned that it was not my job. I remembered the tea-blending skills I had learned and opted to re-invent myself in the hotel business in 1985,” he says.
Nuu sold his matatu, rented the tea shop he operates from, and started the 39-year-old business.
CUSTOMER MAINTENANCE
Since starting the coffee shop business, the 63-year-old trader has maintained a loyal customer base while attracting new patrons.
He says his unwavering dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients and maintaining the highest quality has contributed immensely towards customer maintenance.
But perhaps even more importantly, it’s the hotelier’s innate ability to create an atmosphere of inclusivity and belonging, that keeps customers coming back.
“I blend the tea and cook mandazi personally therefore, the probability of compromising the quality is zero. Even the slightest variation in quantity can significantly impact the end product, so I am very keen,” he says, adding that he mixes a litre of milk with 15 glasses of water.
Nuu commonly sells tea in traditional Moroccan glasses with a glass going for Sh10. Each Andazi goes for Sh10 as well. He sells at least 300 glasses of tea daily. Nuu doesn’t cook any other type of food or drink.
“From the moment you step through the door, you’re enveloped in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where the day’s stresses seem to melt away and time slows to a gentle crawl,” notes Jackson Njeru, a customer.
OFFICIAL OPENING
Njeru recalls that the hotel building was co-owned by the late businessman Hudson Mvungu and partners and was constructed in the 1960s.
“This was one of the best buildings in the region and was officially opened by the provincial commissioner (PC) only known as Mahiu,” he says.
Njeru says after construction, the owners started a hotel business where he was employed as the first cook.
After a while, the business closed down rendering the space vacant. Nuu rented the space in 1985 and has operated to date.
“Apart from the well-blended tea, Nuu’s tea shop has served as a gathering place for friends old and new, a sanctuary where strangers become confidants and laughter fills the air for over three decades,” adds Elijah Njamiu, a customer.
Men are the main customers, and a wide array of current affairs is often discussed among patrons, fostering lively debates and thought-provoking conversations.
Nuu says from the proceeds of his business, he has educated his children and bought two plots in prime areas that he didn’t mention.
Nuu’s blend may have kept customers returning since 1985, but his unwavering passion and boundless love for his craft have truly, stood the test of time.
And as long as hearts are yearning for a moment of peace in a hectic world, his tea shop will remain a beacon of hope—a place where the magic of a simple cup of tea continues to work its miracles, one sip at a time. Once you visit the area, don’t hesitate to sip this amazing drink.
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