Kenyan Man Who Returned Home with KSh 21m From US Goes Broke, Travels Back With Nothing
- A Kenyan man returned home from the US with KSh 21 million, ready to build a thriving farm and a new life
- But family obligations, costly renovations, and the realities of local business drained his fortune faster than he imagined
- Four years later, he returned to America with empty pockets and a story many in the diaspora will find painfully familiar
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A man who sold all his assets in the United States to invest in farming in Kenya has returned to the US empty-handed after four years of struggle.
Source: Getty Images
According to Bananaland Media, the man arrived in Kenya with KSh 21 million, determined to start a successful agricultural business.
How Kenyan man spent KSh 21 million
The cash included his savings after years of hustling abroad, as well as proceeds from selling his cars and house.
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However, family obligations, including black tax and support for parents and relatives, quickly drained his funds.
"Within just two months, KSh 5 million was gone, leaving him with around KSh 16 million to spend," the YouTuber shared.
Additional expenses, such as renovating his home and setting up the farm, consumed another KSh 5 million, further eroding his capital.
Kenyan man forced to return to US
Despite his efforts, by the end of four years, he found himself back to zero, having lost the entire investment.
Stuck in Kenya, with no cash and business to fall back to, he was forced to return to the US and start afresh.
"Luckily for him, he had dual citizenship, so it was easy for him to return and look for employment afresh," the YouTuber added.
The man is currently rebuilding his life and has been trying to revive the business he started in Kenya, still optimistic that it will pick up.
Source: Getty Images
Social media reactions
The story has sparked conversations on social media, with some offering advice and sharing their own experiences.
@Sarakassy emphasised the importance of execution over the amount invested, sharing a success story of someone who started with less than $10,000 and is now a millionaire.
Jeremiah Rubia said:
"You need financial literacy, especially if you are looking to join a business class. Business is a fortune, but if you know what you are doing."
@davidotuoma1865 advised:
“Always start small, not big. When you start big, there are many risks involved.”
@georgemugambi3263:
“Kenya is a different kind of work/business environment. You get in and get played financially, but if you learn the tricks/ways used locally, you can potentially recover.”
Ruth Kungu
"May his enemies be turned back in disgrace and appalled at their own shame, Psalm 40:14-15."
Others shared their journeys, such as @hassken67, who left the UK in 2001 with $24,000 and a Master’s degree in Computing and managed to secure a job within seven months in Tanzania, leading to a happy life.
While the story has a sad twist, it highlights the challenges of investing abroad, especially without fully understanding local business dynamics.
It underscores the importance of starting small, learning local practices, and carefully managing resources to avoid financial ruin.
How to plan your life after returning from abroad
Details shared by goabroad.com indicate that careful planning is required after returning from abroad.
For starters, one should curb their expectations and be realistic about what their life will look like after returning from abroad.
It is also important to understand that your relationship with your family and friends will probably have changed due to the distance during your time abroad, and you may not immediately connect.
Interestingly, you might also experience culture shock while reintegrating back into your community, as you would have to relearn the norms all over again.
Kenyan man returns from US with nothing
In an almost similar story, Isaac Gichengo is now penniless after 20 years of holding prestigious positions in the business world and earning KSh 32 million a month.
Gichengo moved to the US in 1987 to seek greener pastures, and although he was trained as a physicist, he made a name for himself in the banking industry.
However, a divorce from his Mzungu wife would later wipe him out of all his money, savings, retirement plan and his assets.
Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, added the details on how to plan your life after returning from abroad.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
