#DramaZaKenyansAbroad: Kenyans in the Diaspora Mocked for 'Leading Flashy Lifestyles'
The question of whether the government should evacuate citizens stranded and suffering abroad has sparked a heated debate among Kenyans on Twitter.
This follows the recent appeals by some Kenyans, especially those working in the Middle East, seeking to be flown home after they lost their jobs or were being mistreated by their employers. Others cited concerns over their safety and poor working conditions.
Using hashtag #DramaZaKenyansAbroad, Kenyans on Twitter called out their compatriots who move abroad for work but end up ‘broke’. They accused them of living large as soon as they start making money in the diaspora, forgetting their goals and their roots.
But there were a few who defended Kenyans living and working abroad, citing the billions of shillings they send back home annually. Kenya is the fourth-largest recipient of diaspora remittances in Africa behind Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Below are some of the reactions.
@CollinceIcloud said: “A country that is unable to protect her children abroad is a failed government, so many Kenyans suffering overseas yet the respective embassy ain’t hearing shit #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”
@LaQueenJ wrote: “Kenyans fly abroad to get a better life. After reaching there, they get a better life that they needed and forget about their hardships here in Kenya. #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”
@KunguWaNjenga tweeted: “Some people leave Kenya to go and work abroad, which is a good thing. Some of these people, when they get there, forget all they've been through back home. Instead of saving and supporting their families, they choose to live luxurious lifestyles #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”
@EddoGitonga noted: “A fool in Kenya, is still a fool Abroad and the system is unforgiving! A genius in Kenya, is a super genius abroad and the system rewards you well. Wewe genius kaa hapo tu, tweeting like the 🐐 you are, literally! #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”
@MChachapo said: “They go abroad then end up engaged to the whites and forget about home,,,,,worse they start calling us dark continent with nothing to offer but when they can't breath they come here for us to trend there hashtags. Puthuuuuuu!!!! #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”
@Sam22632025 stated: “Data from CBK on monthly remittances by Kenyans in diaspora. In fact, the government should be flying stranded Kenyans back in private planes. Use the balance to buy antidepressants for all the bitter people hating on them for no reason. #dramazakenyansabroad.”
@_hirram said: “Lots of respect Kenyans in the diaspora. These guys are sending back home close to $3 billion annually and you're here asking why some return home broke? yaani more than even our revenues from tourism. Acheni ujinga. #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”
@abbiezuena posted: “The Govt can ensure that our people are well educated and informed on the investment opportunities abroad and how to engage foreign countries without having to necessarily live or relocate to those countries. #DramaZaKenyansAbroad.”