Former Us Military Officer Relocates, Settles in Kenya after 7 Years: "Home Is Best"
- A woman who worked in the US military for years decided to relocate and settle in her motherland
- She shared how she made the life-changing decision and reflected on whether she regretted it or not
- The lady also highlighted some of the challenges she faced in the new country as she compared it with her former home
A woman originally from Charleston, South Carolina, has relocated and settled well in Nairobi, Kenya.
Source: Youtube
Kea Wakesho Simmons served in the US military for over seven years before she made the bold move to return home.
She recounted how she made the decision after a daring moment with her brother James, from Bamburi in Mombasa county, whom she had met in Afghanistan years before moving to Kenya.
How did Kea Simmons come to Kenya?
"We just started talking about Kenya. As Americans or African Americans, we've always dreamed about coming to the continent, or what we like to call the motherland. And so as I was talking to him and getting to know him, he's telling me all these great things about Kenya, and I'm like, 'I'm gonna go.' He said, 'No, you're not.' And I said, 'Yes, I am.'
So I went and bought my ticket. I came up to him and said, 'Hey, I bought my ticket to Kenya. Where are we going?' He couldn't believe it. We came in August 2011, which was my first time in Kenya—and to Mombasa, and I never turned back," she happily narrated.
Simmons said she felt a strong sense of belonging while in Kenya, noting that she loved interacting with fellow Kenyans.
"In 2019, my family did our DNA. I didn't know anything about it. My aunt got the DNA results back, and she said, 'Guess what? We actually came back Kenyan.' I was like, 'You’ve got to be kidding me.' The results showed we were 27.7% Kenyan and of the Luo tribe," she added.
What challenges did Simmons experience in Kenya?
Among the challenges she highlighted was dealing with government processes, though she downplayed it, saying it wasn’t a major issue.
She also mentioned that Kenyans, unlike Americans, tend to do things more slowly, as they love to take their time. However, it was not a major adjustment for her.
"I just understand the business culture, people here move slowly. Americans, we move very fast, and so you just kind of have to adjust to the culture and the business environment," she said.
Kenyans react to Simmons' story
Netizens flocked to the comment section as they shared mixed but mostly warm reactions to Simmons’ inspiring story:
trvkim943:
"You are Kenyan in spirit. We love everyone who shares in our values."
mouricewekesamunoko2839:
"We warmly welcome her back to the motherland."
shemmoseti5467:
"Thank you so much for your service. I am a Kenyan living in the USA. I am proud of you and rooting for you wherever you go. Welcome back to your motherland, family. More blessings to you and your family."
KeepOnWorking1:
"I attended South Carolina State University back in the '90s, one of the first Africans to do so. Welcome to Kenya!"
valeriejenkins9637:
"Excellent interview, cousin. So proud of you! Looking pretty as always. Love you."
Source: Youtube
Nyako to relocate to Kenyan from Germany
In another story, TikToker Nyako shared that she was thinking of relocating back to Kenya from abroad.
Nyako had been living in Germany for years with her children and was considering a move back to the motherland.
She opened up about her life in a foreign land, adding that it was sometimes dangerous to have friends in a foreign country.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
