Kenyan Content Creator Mercy Muigai Opens Up About the Realities of Life in Australia

Kenyan-Australian content creator Mercy Muigai, widely known as Mercy MM, has built a large online following by documenting her migration journey and offering practical insights into the realities of living and working in Australia.

Mercy moved to Australia on a student visa, joining many international students seeking education and better career opportunities. Her early years were marked by financial hardship as she balanced her studies with part-time work in aged care, cleaning, kitchens and housekeeping. 

She has spoken openly about struggling to pay tuition fees, going hungry and spending winter without a blanket. Through these experiences, she has consistently highlighted that settling abroad often involves significant challenges before stability is achieved.

After years of work and persistence, Mercy obtained permanent residency in Australia, allowing her to live and work in the country indefinitely. She has since used her online platform to explain Australia's migration system and discuss different pathways available to prospective migrants, including the Working Holiday Visa programme. 

Although Kenya is not among the countries eligible for that visa, her content has helped viewers understand the opportunities and requirements for working in Australia. Since 2025, Mercy has worked in Australia's Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) mining industry, beginning as a mine site housekeeper.

FIFO employees travel to remote mining sites for extended work rotations before returning home during scheduled leave. The industry employs workers in a wide range of roles, including electricians, truck drivers, nurses and safety officers.

These positions often provide competitive salaries, flights, accommodation and extended leave, but they also require employees to spend long periods away from their families in isolated locations. Mercy has explained that while the financial rewards can be substantial, the work demands resilience and personal sacrifice.

Her experiences reflect those of many Kenyans living abroad, whose remittances continue to play an important role in supporting families and contributing to Kenya's economy. Money sent home each month helps fund education, healthcare, housing and small businesses. 

Behind these financial contributions are migrants who often spend long periods separated from their loved ones while pursuing better opportunities. Kenyan leaders have acknowledged the contribution of citizens living overseas. President William Ruto has described the diaspora as the country's "48th county", recognising both their financial support and the skills they contribute internationally. 

Former Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has also called for stronger measures to protect the welfare of Kenyans working abroad, noting the challenges many face.