My 60-Year Stay in the US: 84-Year-Old Kenyan Man Who Returned Home after 47 Years Speaks
James Mugweru, an 84-year-old Kenyan man who returned to the country on Friday after 47 years has spoken about his life in the United States.
Mugweru has lived in the US for 60 years having moved there in 1959 through the educational airlift program organized by the late Tom Mboya and Senator John F. Kennedy, who was later elected as the 35th US president and assassinated in 1963. He was 27 years old at the time.
Since moving to the US, he visited Kenya only two times in 1962 and 1973, when he attended the burial of his mother. After the 1973 visit, the father of three lost contact with his family back home.
When Mugweru arrived at his family’s home in Mwariki, Nakuru County on Friday, tears trickled freely as he greeted some of his siblings, who last saw him when he was in his 40s with his nephews and nieces unable to recognize him. He could barely speak Kikuyu language although he still remembers a few words.
“Who would have thought I would stay that long without ever returning, I am glad to be back. Reuniting with my brothers and sisters is very satisfying for my heart,” said Mugweru.
Mugweru, who studied medical technology at Royal College, currently the University of Nairobi, worked at King George Level Four Hospital (now Kenyatta National Hospital) for five years as a medical laboratory scientist before moving to the US.
In the US, he worked at different fields in hospital departments and later became a taxi driver. “In the US I joined a university to further my education. I graduated as a medical technologist. On completion, I wanted to be a doctor. I briefly enrolled and later quit due to the complexity of some chemistry-related courses,” said Mugweru.
Mugweru, who says life in the US is not easy, explained that lack of enough money was the reason he stayed abroad for many years without visiting home, adding that life became even harder after retirement.
“Life in the US is not a walk in the park though if you are smart, things will be easy for you. I had missed my motherland and to step here I feel comfortable.”
“Being in a foreign land is not a walk in the park. It requires focus, humility, and perseverance, especially in the first few years. At first, I worked in various hospitals, which were paying well. I later became a commercial and taxi driver, which was equally lucrative,” he said.
He said his first wife (now deceased) joined him in the US in 1971 but they later separated due to irreconcilable differences. He remarried later.
“My first wife died in the US and was buried there. My second wife passed on three years ago and my only son died five years ago. I’m now left with two daughters. The last time I counted I had 15 grandchildren. They have never been to Kenya,” said Mugweru.
Mugweru, who admits that Kenya has really transformed, especially on infrastructure, gave indications he will be returning to the US.
“Utah is where my family is and I have become accustomed to the US. I will spend a month in Kenya and go back to the US. I feel a bigger part of my life is there. However, I’m still pondering on my siblings’ insistence that I stay with them now,” said Mugweru.
Christine Muchene alias ‘Madame President’, the Founder and CEO of Shiloh Afrique Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia traced Mugweru to a facility for Senior Citizens in Union City, Georgia after a request by his grandson who lives in Kenya.
Christine took the octogenarian to the Kenyan American Community Church (KACC) headed by Bishop Dr. GG Gitahi where members contributed money to purchase his flight ticket to Kenya.
Comments
Look at the title “ my 60…
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Look at the title “ my 60 year stay in the USA says a man who returned after 47 year stay in the USA”
Yes he went to the US in…
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In reply to Look at the title “ my 60… by Mucene (not verified)
Yes he went to the US in 1959 (60 yrs ago). But the last time he was in Kenya was in 1973 (47 yrs ago) to bury his Mom.
60 years is the total but he…
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60 years is the total but he returned back after 47 as he was in Kenya in 1973.
Ok know it all, Isaac!!! You…
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In reply to 60 years is the total but he… by Isaac kinungi (not verified)
Ok know it all, Isaac!!! You seem to be keeping account of guy’s movement every year he stayed in the US. Are both of you age mates??
Hata wewe ni Mnorma;…
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In reply to Ok know it all, Isaac!!! You… by Tepiyebei (not verified)
Hata wewe ni Mnorma; Mchokozi.
We, mucene, tiga mucene. Kiu…
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We, mucene, tiga mucene. Kiu githungu nikiega. Kana urenda arie ki black american
This man is Kenyan born but…
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This man is Kenyan born but his heart is in America so let's stop the big fuss. Whoever thinks ALL Kenyans are dying to go back to Kenya is delusional at best. Home is where your heart is.
I agree 100%. But what…
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In reply to This man is Kenyan born but… by Mugikuyu (not verified)
I agree 100%. But what BAFFLES me is Mugweru talkingof UTAH being his "heartfelt" home (yet he was Traced in a Facility in Georgia).
Being in a facility isn't…
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In reply to I agree 100%. But what… by GUEST1 (not verified)
Being in a facility isn't always a bad thing. Quality of of life & care is key.
Well that settles it, the…
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Well that settles it, the wajuaji here who had unsolicitated speculationsand advice. Good for Mzee for speaking up .
For those of us who have…
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For those of us who have chosen to live here or other parts of the diaspora, visiting Kenya is desirable if possible but don't feel like you have made a bad choice living away from Kenya. There are many Kenyans who wish they could get out of Kenya but are not able to so thank God and make your life count so when it's over your loved ones here and in Kenya will remember positive things about you and your life.
Kama mimi sirudi hiyo Kenya…
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In reply to For those of us who have… by Thumbi (not verified)
Kama mimi sirudi hiyo Kenya ng’o.
hahahaha
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In reply to Kama mimi sirudi hiyo Kenya… by Mucene (not verified)
hahahaha
If his family is in Utah,…
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If his family is in Utah, how did he end up in a facility for the elderly in Union City, which is a Southern Suburb of Atlanta, in Georgia? A rhetorical question. I think that I know the reason why... after all, KACC is my Church
Strictly speaking: It's not…
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In reply to If his family is in Utah,… by Settled Nomad (not verified)
Strictly speaking: It's not a Rhetorical question; it's a Genuine question.
I know, @Guest1. You have to…
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In reply to Strictly speaking: It's not… by GUEST1 (not verified)
I know, @Guest1. You have to forgive me... I think that I am most effective, when I am being sarcastic...
Seem he did not hangout with…
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Seem he did not hangout with Kenyans. Kenyans love to speak their mother tongue when they are together. I do not believe he forget kikuyu because he came here as an adult.
99% of Kenyan disporans are…
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In reply to Seem he did not hangout with… by Kenya (not verified)
99% of Kenyan disporans are NOT people to hang around. They're envious, jelous, INSECURE, toxic, and Very hateful.
@guest1 - the Kikuyus say…
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In reply to 99% of Kenyan disporans are… by GUEST1 (not verified)
@guest1 - the Kikuyus say the same things you said about them. The Kikuyus don’t want to hang out with blood suckers. They can only tolerate those who are hard working and eager to show what they can do!
The Kikuyus don’t want to hang out with your tribe and many others because you guys are very lazy and always want to suck muchie, muchie, and more muchie from them without cutting a sweat!
Kenya’s economy would literally collapse without the Kikuyus - something they all proudly know far too well!
TheKikuyus know they can make it through thick and thin without your tribe; @guest1! About 100% of Kikuyus wouldn’t hang out with you anywhere in this world cos they can’t count on you. Just saying the bitter truth!!! Just saying!
Mostly kiuyus and village…
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In reply to Seem he did not hangout with… by Kenya (not verified)
Mostly kiuyus and village luos
Et tu Seneca. Tribalism is…
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In reply to Mostly kiuyus and village… by Seneca (not verified)
Et tu Seneca. Tribalism is unfortunately a disease that has spread equally throughout Kenya and if you think your community is immune, you are so wrong. Mine is better than yours and yours is worse than mine is not the way to solve the problem.
Ateh! But my brother, mine…
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In reply to Et tu Seneca. Tribalism is… by Mundumugo (not verified)
Ateh! But my brother, mine is better. We even marry Kikuyus even when we know we might end up in Septic tanks. Now we are just securing convos with tracking devices.
😂😂😂😂. You win
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In reply to Ateh! But my brother, mine… by Seneca (not verified)
😂😂😂😂. You win
Let the guy enjoy our…
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Let the guy enjoy our motherland for holiday then arudi kwao states.After all those years am with him that kenya don't know him n he will b an alien to stay back juu his grandchildren's n 2 of his daughters wako states probably they were born there too.Mzee enjoy our motherland b4 heading back to Trump country.Its even good her pple r bin buried there showing it all that nyumbani ni stato.For those like me who returned home,home ni hapa jamhuri sweet home sweet home.
@halisi, an objective…
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In reply to Let the guy enjoy our… by mkenya halisi (not verified)
@halisi, an objective comment, without bitterness, at last!
Mkenya Halisi, is that…
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In reply to Let the guy enjoy our… by mkenya halisi (not verified)
Mkenya Halisi, is that really you? Haidhuru you are right. This man left Kenya 4 years before independence, has never lived under an African administration. Most of those he went to school with are gone or going and those born when he left don't know him. The man will be a foreigner in the country of his birth.
Huyu mzee ako na Maringo he…
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Huyu mzee ako na Maringo he left a Kenya as an adult all that time he lived or atleast where he was found has very many Kenyans what are the chances he never interacted with them for him to forget his mother tongue.His heart cannot be in Utah if he was found in a nursing home in Georgia.You bet some Kenyans CNA’s and nurses were “sengenyering “the residents in that language he forgot.So what was he saying (Say what now 😗ama Athee kee 😉)
He estimates to have atleast 15 grand kids all from his biological children none of whom was willing to contribute to buy him an air ticket it had to come from Kenyans whose language he forgot.Even whitefolks do not want to be in nursing homes most get there because their houses are sold by their relatives their own kids to pay for their medical bills or upkeep since most people are living well into the 90s .Why not go to Utah where your heart is .Maybe write a book or blog about living in a retirement facility in a foreign land we all know America is good if you have a job once you get old and sickly there is nothing glamorous about living in a retirement home no matter how fancy
K, Niatia? But this man did…
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In reply to Huyu mzee ako na Maringo he… by K (not verified)
K,
Niatia? But this man did not express any desire to come in Kenya. This trip to Kenya were Madam President and another relative's machinations/Manipulations. His wife died few years ago, and he did the civilized thing i.e went to a senior center where his SSI can pay for his living instead of burdening his kids.
This Mzee is more organized than most of us. He had his life set and planned. Yoll are just badgering him. May God protect him from these misguided Kenyans. His kids have no desire to come to such a shithole. Tribalism, thievery, Locusts ...what is really great in Kenya unless you are Ruto, Raila or Uhuru Kin?
As exposed people, we need…
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As exposed people, we need to start accepting this cliche: home is where the year is. This is a polite gentleman. He came because thou buyest the ticket...and was being polite to the Kenyan naive infantile emotions "oh home is best". No, Kenya is really not best. If you make good cheese, retire in Panama or some great warm place. Best is for you...not everyone.Vimbelembele tuache. Again I ask, a homeless man who really wanted to return died on the streets of Atlanta last year, was KACC not functioning? Or is it tribal? The man was Kenyan too. Ukristo binafsi.
@Seneca, I hate the way…
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In reply to As exposed people, we need… by Seneca (not verified)
@Seneca, I hate the way Kenya journalists had their mehemehe on social media. & news but they could not help that homeless man go back to Kenya
You cannot forget your…
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You cannot forget your mother tongue. This guy was/is a fake. He can go back to the US but he will end up in the Senior Facility AGAIN.
You can get rusty though. If…
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In reply to You cannot forget your… by Sokora (not verified)
You can get rusty though. If he lived away from Kenyans and only interacted with Americans, the man can only think in English. Some of the western states have very sparse Kenyan populations. It's why I make a point of going to Kenya once or twice a year. It refreshes my language skills, learn about our traditions and most important I get to see all the generations old and young.
Nothing wrong with senior…
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In reply to You cannot forget your… by Sokora (not verified)
Nothing wrong with senior facility. He looks well taken care of. By way of statistics, how many Kenyans who return after Diaspora live post 80? Most die within 10 years. Heri senior facility. Some senior facilities are like pent houses ok. Go to Florida and see. There is so much fun, booze and sex...such that seniors over there have so many STDs
Chekeni tu thinking old age…
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Chekeni tu thinking old age will not catch up with you. Question is does everyone reading this has a long term plan as to how they will survive when they retire? Don't bank on your kids either coz no telling if they will be able to help you. Watu wajipange.
Opportunity knocks. If you…
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In reply to Chekeni tu thinking old age… by Guest 007 (not verified)
Opportunity knocks. If you are a licensed agent, you can start a business to help all these people with life insurance and other financial service needs. Look at the obituary section and you can see a lack of funds that is due to a lack of financial planning.
@Ex-Diasporan- hata mimi…
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@Ex-Diasporan- hata mimi nitasema huyu Muchene awache Mucene ama Mucheneneko. Why did he take this man to a Kenyan Church to have them contribute for his air fare? He has family in the US that could have contributed the fare. Some people are over burdening the community, to much Asks for Money all the time. No wonder many people cannot afford to invest back home because the churches and communities are digging deeper into people's pockets.
Churches used to be a place for refuge. Now they are becoming part of "stressors".
Thank you Sue...*Hug*. Hawa…
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In reply to @Ex-Diasporan- hata mimi… by Sue (not verified)
Thank you Sue...*Hug*. Hawa wakora wetu, we need to stop them. Ati Kenyan generosity, Madam President...ing'i? The real homeless cases are ignored. Sasa ni whhatsapp all over. Usipotoa, waah! The isolation utapata!!!. I do not know why Kenyans exploit others this way. This popularity whoring needs to stop
@Seneca, I hate those…
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In reply to Thank you Sue...*Hug*. Hawa… by Seneca (not verified)
@Seneca, I hate those WhatsApp Church group with a passion. They fill your phone with pictures and videos. You get up in the morning and get your phone has over 100 videos & pictures followed by a 1000 Amen. Very annoying.
Hehehe! Hata mimi nimependa…
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In reply to @Ex-Diasporan- hata mimi… by Sue (not verified)
Hehehe!
Hata mimi nimependa hiyo comment ya ma church stressors.
Settled Nomad, where are you…
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Settled Nomad, where are you settled at?
@Seneca, @Kenya, @ Soldieron…
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@Seneca, @Kenya, @ Soldieron - it's true about exploitation. Our Kenyan churches use guilt to agitate their congregants. They have so many functions from Njahi (black beans), Gucugia Mwana (visiting the baby), bridal shower, baby shower, bachelorette party, birth of a baby, wedding committee, graduation committee, birthday committee, weddding renewal committee, wedding anniversary committee, 47 years diasporan for time spent outside Kenya, burials, immigration cases etc etc and the list goes on and on. And oh, karibu nisahau mjengo ya kanisa, buying churches na kadhalika. All these ni pesa pesa pesa and when you don't give you are the talk of the town and you are singled out. Ndio nimesema, churches za United States zimekuwa too much exploiting people. So, don't ask depression inatoka wapi.
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