How Kenyan Who Left Bank Job Found Himself Homeless in Canada

Daniel Wanyeki, a 33-year-old Kenyan, left his family and friends behind in search of a better life and job opportunities in Canada. 

He had quit his job as a banker in Kenya and was driven by the dream of finding stability in a foreign land. However, fate had other plans for him as he found himself struggling with homelessness in Ontario, which was a stark contrast to his ambitions. On Saturday, he spoke to CBC News in Canada about his experience and how he had to face the harsh realities of life. 

"What you expect when you come from Africa is that you will get a good house. You'll get work. At first, you just don't know," he said 

Despite having a degree in tourism management, Wanyeki decided to obtain a driver's license to work as a truck driver due to the labour shortage in the field. Wanyeki met Cyprian Ontita, another Kenyan who had landed in the same situation as him. Ontita found it hard to adapt to life in Canada and eventually ended up sleeping on the streets due to overcrowded shelters. 

Many of the people living in the shelters are asylum seekers fleeing persecution or political instability. According to a worker at the Young Women's Christian Association program, discrimination is a driving force behind the influx of asylum seekers. A representative from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada notes an increase in calls at their Hamilton office which is experiencing a surge of refugee claimants. Asylum seekers often first arrive in Toronto, where the shelter systems are overwhelmed, and then move on to Hamilton.