Joan Thatiah, 37, is an author and journalist who has single-handedly chronicled the raw, unfiltered social landscape of Nairobi through her wildly popular "Confessions" series.
In doing so, she has become an essential voice, offering "tough love" and challenging conventional narratives around relationships, finance, and womanhood.
Born a lawyer, Thatiah pivoted to features writing, where six years of listening to women's intimate stories ignited her literary passion.
Her 2016 self-published debut, Things I Will Tell My Daughter, established her unique "big sister" tone, blending candid personal experience with sharp social commentary. Thatiah has since authored eleven books, tackling everything from financial independence in I'm Too Pretty To Be Broke to a fast-paced thriller, Guilty.
The Confessions of Nairobi Women and Confessions of Nairobi Men series are cultural phenomena, built on true stories that explore the shame, triumph, and hidden struggles of urban life, fostering a profound, city-wide conversation.
Her book Confessions of Nairobi Women was nominated for the inaugural Textbook Centre Penmanship Award in the Adult Category, a major recognition during the company's 60th-anniversary celebrations.
Eight of her books landed on Nuria-Your Store's Top 100 bestseller list in the first quarter of 2025.
During the year, she hosted an inspiring session at the Nairobi International Book Fair in September 2025 titled "YOUNG, BROKE, WRITING: HOW TO START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE," sharing her self-publishing wisdom with aspiring authors.