Why Majority of Kenyans Say they Would Like to Leave the Country and Settle Abroad
A majority of Kenyans say that they would love to leave the country given an opportunity.
Most of Kenyans recently interviewed by Sunday Nation mentioned corruption, tribalism, and impunity as the main reasons why they would like to move to another country.
Many were wondering why opposition politician Miguna Miguna, who was recently kicked out of the country for the second time, was fighting to return to Kenya. They wished they had an opportunity, just like Miguna, to be anywhere other than Kenya.
However, respondents seemed clueless of the difficulties they would face abroad if they landed there without the kind of skills individuals like Miguna have. Miguna is a Canadian-trained lawyer.
25-year-old Trev Kamau, wishes he was the one being forced into a flight and taken to Finland because he can't secure a job in Kenya, thanks to corruption.
“You have to bribe for any service in this depressing failed state we call our country,” he says.
A study released last month by the Pew Research Center showed that 54 per cent of Kenyans would love to move to a different country. Those who have been privileged to leave the country said life is better out there, citing higher-quality housing, education, and healthcare.
Assaya Imaya, a Kenyan living in London, said: “I first moved to Malawi and I was able to lead a life I could hitherto only envision in wild dreams: a big house, a car, eating out. I had never imagined going on holiday until I stepped out of Kenya."
He doesn't see himself leaving the leafy South-Croydon suburb to return to Kenya. Unemployment is the main reason why a majority of Kenyan youths would like to go and try it in another country.
“To get a job in Kenya you must come from the politically correct tribe, and all other qualifications are secondary,” Wilson Kaikai, an economist with an international development organisation, says, adding that “corruption is so pervasive that for one to join the police, one must pay up to Sh400,000 in a bribe”.
"Once you fork out such huge bribes, you are forced to engage in corruption to recoup your money and pay your seniors interminable protection fees to survive on the job," Mr Kaikai says.
The Nation established that life is not a walk in the park abroad either, as prices of basic commodities are relatively high compared to Kenya. For instance, an avocado goes for an equivalent of Sh500 in Chicago, while a one-bedroom apartment costs Sh200,000.
Some respondents in diaspora also said that racism remains a reality in developed countries. It is also an uphill task to adapt to life abroad.
Mr Imaya said, “It takes time to understand the system and to transform from the Kenyan way of life, including unlearning bad driving habits.”
Comments
It is a shame that 54% of…
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It is a shame that 54% of Kenyans would rather be somewhere else.And Iam sure they dont mean Somalia,Sudan or Congo ,to mention afew.They would rather be in the so called first world countries,like USA, Britain,or Australia.What they fail to understand ,or they ignore,is that these preffered countries made their countries what they are,and would be offended if they learned that foreigners,particularly africans would love to come and reap their "spoils". Basically harvest where they did not sow...
Its up to us Kenyans to make the country livable ,prosperous,and advanced.We cry about corruption,unemployment, cost of goods being high,but collectively hardly anybody does anything.Where are our social activists?These social vices keep on invading our society because we tolerate them.If your child kept missing school,wouldnt you do something about it?As a concerned parent.Where are the concerned citizens?Civil protest against social injustices if free.
You are correct, I believe…
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In reply to It is a shame that 54% of… by Maxiley (not verified)
You are correct, I believe that we all have to participate in our own rescue, in usa for example there are a lot of small business owners who hire a few people, however in kenya we sit back and complain, the government is not doing this or that.
Can sam tell us why we have…
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In reply to You are correct, I believe… by sam igram (not verified)
Can sam tell us why we have the so-called govt?Can he also say why he has not gone to open the small business he is talking about?Does he know the kind of taxation and bribes he pays to open the business,money you can never recover?Does he know that one million Nairobians are facing hunger while Sonko is boosting of high reavenue/taxation he has achieved?Does he know it costs $20 per day to lent a stall in Nairobi?Who do Kenyans complain to if not to the useless govt?
I dont blame them. most of…
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I dont blame them. most of us kenyans in the diaspora at some point in the past shared the same sentiments as our fellow brothers and sisters in kenya and thats why we ended up overseas. I find that we are not as supportive of our countrymen as filipinos and latinos who utilise chain migration to bring their countrymen over to the usa
@Kobole,granted that USA can…
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In reply to I dont blame them. most of… by kobole (not verified)
@Kobole,granted that USA can absorb chain immigration,that's not the solution to our problems.Yes many in diaspora are living well,and would not like to go back to Kenya,and ride in matatus,or join unemployment lines,that already overcrowded.If only We could offer basic needs to majority of Kenyans,the need to "run" away would be minimized.Uhurucare is a step in the right direction.I believe that if our resources are channeled well,and for good projects,unemployment would be greatly reduced.
Kenyans in the diaspora have…
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Kenyans in the diaspora have always tried to be included in the development of their country, Jamhuri. For example; we have been channeling millions, if not billions to our motherland every year. What a love for one's own? Secondly, the diaspora especially in the West , East, Asia, and Australia have always wanted to vote and be a voice in the democracy of our beloved nation by participating in the general elections, without success. Greedy and corrupt mpigs and other politicians have for every voting season, muffled those efforts to have us included. I think it is time that Kenyans stood their ground and demanded better inclusion in major decision making to avoid sliding back to the dark Moi days....
I stopped listening to the…
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I stopped listening to the whining of Kenyans because they talk of problematic corruption yet they will not hesitate to be on the receiving end of deals. We not only glorify thieves but we elect them into office. Suspected drug dealers are running counties and are a heartbeat away from the presidency. Diasporans, are you supporting your families to consume or to produce?
I just wonder how…
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I just wonder how diasoporans who describe looting of parastatals like KENATCO and UCHUMI,Goldenberg scandal by known thugs as CAPITALISM can criticize anybody at home.It is total corruption at home from presidency to countable but diasoporans-watu wa majuu want corruption fought from constable/sub-chief upwards.War on corruption can only be won if fought from up-shs 25b bribe for Rala to shut up-ati kabila yao,kina GUEST 1/Iphone 4G,IMARA,HAKIKA,MBINGU etc watafurahi.
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