From Kenya to America: The Honest Reality of Diaspora Living

The problem I have noticed is that some people live in the US but have never left Kenya. They overwhelmingly work with Kenyans, go to Kenyan churches, socialize only with Kenyans outside work or school, speak Kiswahili at work and home, and hardly attend American social events. I understand insulation gives them a sense of security but the downside is that it kills social and cultural integration in the new environment. It even affects the way their American-born children relate to them.

She is absolutely correct as to how some Kenyans in America and elsewhere have been in the diaspora for decades but never took an initiative to assimilate into their new culture and environment! Basically, you will not go far! Like the saying goes, when you go to Rome, behave like Romans! You can still maintain your roots and also live like the Romans, right?

The only thing the young lady doesn’t understand is the hardships most of these Kenyans have endured because at some point in time or still are illegal [aliens]. It’s a nightmare to live in the shadows. Some never took any initiative to assimilate into the new culture and become citizens! And they still hold resentment towards their host country and misconceptions of their people!

As an American, I wholeheartedly love my new country - HOME! Through hard work, dedication and tough times, America gave me opportunities to learn and pursue the American dream! Something I definitely could not achieve at all in Kenya’s Moi regime dictatorship!

Yes, I was born in Kenya, but all what I have achieved so far is due to the opportunities offered (not given) by USA. If you go by the rules, work hard, embrace your new culture etc, you will succeed depending on your level of success.

But living in the diaspora for decades and still living like you are still in a Kenyan village is definitely madness!!! You are better off in the village!!!

What's the story?

Women integrate faster than men in new environments and the younger they are, the faster the assimilation. Many women will not shy from working in nursing homes to make a buck lakini many of our Kenyan men are enslaved by our African patriarchal mentality and those without marketable skills will opt for low pay as security guards or cashiers than work doubles in homes for the eldery kule pesa ziko. One man died last summer in my neighborhood after his assimilated wife left him because she could no longer deal with his ushagoo mentality.

Living in America for decades left me bewildered and undecided on which path I was to follow in merging with a culture unknown to me. As years dragged by, in school and work place, I decided the simplest and logical way forward was to shamelessly be me: Kenyan. I can honestly attest that acknowledging American culture and intermingling with its people was something that I absorbed little by little. Years down memory lane, I made up my decision that the time to interact with the Americans was only to be school and work related. In school and workplace, I became a darling for my lecturers and supervisors/managers respectively. But for my co-workers, it didn't go down very well with them. As a workaholic, a never no-call no-show Mjuaji, my check balooned within a very short time than those I got there. I had the deepest ascent they ever heard off, and " a culture of ...what did you say?... became a tone soundly demeaned me as an Kenyan of African descent. As a result, I would get my work station sabotaged, or my car dinged or a nail placed under the tire, or get reported for things I did not do. And every a supervisory or promotion came beckoning, I would decline. I simply became a loner, concentrating on duties and making money. Switching from one department to another, or job description didn't help either. It became a culture of work, work and work. I would hear from managers and supervisor acclaim, "MjuAji, do not worry about these people, only to discover what was going on behind my back.
With a only one speeding ticket( no accident or moving violation) in a stretch of two decades, I learnt that the best way to shine in America was to religiously follow and obey the law. I watched helplessly as fellow Kenyans destroyed their lives through DUI, immigration fraud, battery, child abuse, assaults, sexual predators, and even deportations. America was not designed for everyone, no wonder there is a great disparity in success with most Kenyans.

Sasa nini hii? Ati kenyans/Africans should loose their culture quick quick? Why? DO you see Asian AMericans losing culture, ama Warabu losing their culture or even Italian/German Wazungu lose their culture? They even name the US towns after their old places and follow traditions kama St Patrick for Irish. DOnt even get me started about our dear latinos who are bilingual to the 3rd generation. It has always been that way and it has benefits far more than its so-called disadvantages. When you are a bloc, you are far likelier to achieve your outcomes where its cultural, political or economic.

This young girl should live 2 or 3 more decades, then it may make sense or ask those who have stayed here multiple generations. A dream is just a dream. East or West home is best. DOnt erase your culture, embrace and share it.
Asanteni

America is what you give it not what you take rom it

I have to presume it's fear of of losing yourself, fear of what people in the 254 will think, fear of not living up to the expected lifestyle. Hell, see how those who pick up even a slight accent get ridiculed as if you can live in a place for decades and not be changed even a little bit. Succeeding here means accepting the country for what it is, warts and all and taking advantage of the opportunity. A while back, I came to the conclusion that Kenyans need a crash course in America before they move here including American pronunciation. Sounds ridiculous until you keep having to repeat yourself. Morris Chang(not his original name) was held back but succeeded in spite of that, he returned to Taiwan and became a massive success story. Assimilate as necessary and if it's too much go back to the 254 and ignore the haters who will judge you.

Best thing you can do as an international is to be truly international ie interact with all cultures around you. Learn American culture and know it's history. Some people arrived in USA without having had any historical facts or had any admiration for things American. It's not all about making money. There's more to life than that. You might not see Kenya move fast to first world but learn what made America what it is. Innovation, hard work, ability to adapt quickly, being super positive and going at it, being relentless etc and above all God was their great and sound foundation.
Racism will be there but there are many who will love you and treat you right. Some would not like to see a black person rise but conditions are all there to rise nevertheless. U can avoid bad ppl and align with good people.

The American Dream is still alive! Children of poor Kenyan still beat richer kids up the ladder once they immigrate to the USA.Studies have shown that Diasporas who were born at the bottom of the income distribution have much bigger mobility rates than those who came from what we thought back then to be higher economic standards.Proof that America is the land of opportunities.

I totally identify with the thoughts Mlandizi and Juju have shared above. The sojourner's mind has continued to impact some, who live from suitcases mentally, never completely unpacking. I prayed to God to help me to embrace this country as my new home for my own peace of mind and enjoyment of the resources of this hew home. We are also slowly realizing, albeit sadly for some, that our kids may never go back to the plots and properties we have worked hard to invest in in our Motherland.

For your safety and security never show off to everyone, never let anyone know how much you make, don't trust whites, blacks, Jews, etc. America is a place of competitiveness, money and jealousy in all sectors. Have emotional intelligence. Be a giver to charity!!!

Key word is balance. You need wazungus, you need Kenyans. Wazungus will teach you the ways of this country to make life easier here as you learn the system. Lakini usiende ku gossip other people na wao. Hakuna gossip ya watu wawili lol. You find good Kenyans, they will have your back and you sure need that, na raha na entertainment wacha tu. Ukiwa na stress, mzungu atakuletea maua ya 50 dollars. You tangle yourself with bad mannered Kenyans, get ready for depression. Choose wisely!

A lovely post. I agree. Keep it up.

A lovely post. I agree 100%. Keep it up.

Interesting comments.What I would like to know is what the writer of the article means by"...,inadvertently breaking the law"...Give examples.
Laws in Kenya are pretty much similar to those in USA,especially pertaining to criminal laws.Even peeing in public which a good number of Kenyans might consider 'normal', is prohibited in many countries ,USA included,just like it is prohibited in Kenya.
What,I would like to say is that do not break laws here as Kenyans do in Kenya,and think that you could talk,and or bribe your way out.Here, you beat your wife,and the neighbor hears the commotions,before you strike her again, the cops are on your door.In Kenya that might not be the case...You violate traffic laws,the cop is not going to ask to"toa kitu..." or you offer,and he/she accepts -kitu...
Finally,I personally dont think that it's even possible to live in USA,or any foreign country,and behave as a Kenya for long. You might not realize you are changing till you go back home to Kenya. Change is good if it improves your life in all ways that uplift you.
And please learn to respect the way others live.Try not to disparage American way of life,and act like yours is superior. We human being are created with immense ability to adapt.

Wazungu never got assimilated into the Kenyan culture.

No one leaves kenya to come to America with misaligned dreams and goals! And whoever comes to America and finds that the life goals do not align with the dreams and set goals, he/she can always pack up and head on back to Kenya! It is that simple!

Chesiyna - all those other places - Kenya, Brazil, Phillipines, etc you are comparing to America are mere shit holes due to the corrupt leaders in those countries!

No one living in America can aligned the personal purpose with those other goddam forsaken countries! There is nothing American you can align with Kenya.

So many examples of the huge differences in America do exist and I do not see any one of them that can be compared with the so called third world countries.

Make an effort to visit those countries you have compared with America so you can see for yourself the glaring differences and learn a lasting lesson!

The Africans blacks r stupid brainwashed totally.Why should I want or follow mzungu who have finished u mentally?Why as the blacks must b the ones assimilating but not them??Hii umama unjinga tuache.Am a proud African,don’t loose yr culture for others.Someone mentioned Indians/Arabs r forever themselves n they have succeeded heavily keeping their culture so why not we the Africans b the same.Watu wakae kivyao natuheshimiane period.Guys ru still thinking of moving to Heaven kenya where bills r less,u own yr hse,u sleep without bin awaken by alarm,u eat healthy food,u don’t have to worry about working like a donkey.Karibuni Kenya🤣🤣

I am a well adjusted Kenyan American.

A true Floridian born in Kenya and spent half my life in both countries. I endured masaibu ya k1, makaratasi and after so many years back and forth call me mtumwa. My children know where I was born and where I chose to call home for them and my husband, Florida.

It's Okay to be a well adjusted Kenyan American where the tribe am born into doesn't classify me Mimi ni mluhya mama ni mkisii. I contribute to my community so!? Am black in America I embrace it.

I will not change my choice for the dunia.

Kejeni Niko hapa

It's amazing how Kenyans don't like each other. The vitriol in the comments is just awful

After reading all the comments, I want to congratulate MJUAJI for getting one ticket in two decades. I got almost 50 tickets and had to go to tickets exile in Kenya. Happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas.