Kenyan Woman Explains Why She Hasn't Built a Home After 20 Years in Germany

A Kenyan woman who has lived in Germany for 20 years says life abroad has been far more financially demanding than many people in Kenya believe, leaving her unable to meet expectations of regular support for relatives back home.

Maggy Mukuni Eckhoff said building a life in Germany required years of study and adjustment before she could begin working. She arrived without immediate employment and spent two years learning German before completing three years of professional training. By the time she entered the workforce, she was also raising a family.

She said many people assume that salaries in Europe translate into significant disposable income. However, much of her earnings are used to cover essential expenses, including television licence fees, waste collection charges, heating costs during winter, childcare and other household bills.

According to Eckhoff, these financial commitments leave little room for savings or for sending money to relatives in Kenya. She said this has created tension within her family, as some relatives continue to believe she has greater financial resources than she actually does.

Her experience illustrates the challenges many migrants face after moving abroad. Although opportunities exist, they often come only after years of learning the local language, gaining qualifications and adapting to a new environment.

Eckhoff said the assumption that migration automatically leads to financial success does not reflect the reality for many people living overseas. Instead of accumulating wealth or making major investments in Kenya, many spend years working to achieve financial stability while meeting the costs of everyday life in their adopted countries.