Before You Relocate.....You May Have To Consider.

Lately,there are rising cases of young Kenyans seeking any possible way to relocate abroad citing economic problems and lack of opportunities in the country. This is coming at a time when the US is working on its immigration reforms, which may see the abolishment of the Green card lottery. Many Kenyans see this as a nip in the bud for their hope of living the American dream in the land of opportunity.

This need to emigrate is also coming at a time when cases of human rights violations and even death of Kenyan domestic workers in the Middle East are rising. Only yesterday, a Kenyan woman who had been hired as a domestic worker to work in Saudi Arabia was rescued from what is believed to be human trafficking by a Saudi princess.In March last year, a Kenyan woman, Esther Wanjiru Mwikamba, 26, succumbed to death in the United Arab Emirates a month after a brutal beating in a Dubai parking lot. 

These are just a few of the many horrible stories that we get to hear every day, and still, the number of those migrating to those countries is increasing.Which begs the question,what is pushing or motivating Kenyans to emigrate?

Kenya’s remittances from the diaspora have grown over the years and they are an important contributor to the country's growth and development. In February this year, they were $102.37 million, with 48 per cent coming from North America. It is therefore likely that this is the yardstick by which many use to measure the benefits of living and working abroad.

Whilst Kenyans at home admire and compare their (financial) wellbeing with the Kenyans in the diaspora, they talk about them with less regard. They refer to the work they do to earn this money as ‘dirty’-cleaning dishes, toilets or taking care of the elderly (which many refer to as ‘cleaning the whites’ behinds!).One then wonders why those in Kenya who hold such perceptions would want to go abroad and get subjected to the same.

Having lived in the diaspora for a couple of years now, I  am of the opinion that Kenyans abroad are not being honest and real about the realities and life in the diaspora.This, in turn,gives those back home an exxagerated or a one-sided picture about life abroad.I think it is important for those living in the diaspora to start discussing openly about the challenges of living abroad instead of showing only the benefits.Pretending that all is perfect and smooth is doing more harm than good;there is a remarkable tension between those at home and those abroad since the former compare their lives unfavorably with the latter. 

For example,while it is true that it is easier to earn a degree abroad than at home thanks to a comfortable and safer environment, the degree you earn may not guarantee your dream job, one that matches your intellect.A degree from your country may fail to be recognized in the host country, meaning that you will have to start afresh.

It is true that there are many Kenyans (and Africans in general) who have and are doing well for themselves abroad, but they are outnumbered by those struggling or managing to live or get by.Those struggling do not dare reveal this to their families and friends back home, prompting them to place high expectations and demands on them, making their life more miserable.Some of the family members will not hesitate to con their own blood!You will remember the case of a Kenyan man who, while in the U.S.A, worked hard and  sent his family  money to build him a house, only for him to come home and realize his family had squandered his money and the photos they used to send him to update him on the progress were actually borrowed!The poor soul could not take it anymore.He took away his life.Sad.So sad.

There are even cases of students in the diaspora who quit their studies to work in order to meet their families', relatives' and friends' relentless demands for expensive material gifts like computers, smartphones etc. or  to help a relative start a business, which,your guess is as good as mine, never gets started.

From the reasons above and many more,I think is a high time those living abroad got real and honest and gave a full picture of what life abroad is like. This will save them from the trouble of having to fulfill the high demands and expectations placed on them and help those at home realize that they do not have to go abroad to find a happy, reasonable life or succeed.

One thing Kenyans at home may not be aware though, is that many Kenyans in the diaspora would like to come back home to fulfill their dreams, but they are held back by fear and obstacles that we will discuss below. Some of these are the same reasons that make those in Kenya want to emigrate.

 Political situation

The  main reasons why most people emigrate is due to poverty, conflict, corruption in the government, lack of opportunities and lack of vision (in the government). Many African governments, Kenya included, have shown little or no willingness towards providing incentives to those abroad to return home and for those planning to emigrate to stay. Those willing to come back and work,invest or start their own businesses are afraid to do so for the fact that almost everything is political; you have to have connections for your business to survive or to get an employment opportunity. It is undeniable that our political system defines our societal fate. It is therefore important that those living in the diaspora get involved in advocating for good governance by making sure that Kenya gets the right leadership by informing those back home about the power of leadership with integrity. There is a dire need to end vices such as corruption and insecurity in order to convince those living abroad to come back and to prevent more brain drain.

Poor Infrastructure

Improved Infrastructure is an important determinant of the desire to return home and a driver of economic development. There are many Kenyans in the diaspora and at home who have great business ideas that they would want to transform into viable business opportunities but poor or lack of infrastructure is holding them back. It is very hard to do business where there is no stable power supply, communication or where the transport system is still underdeveloped to favor connectivity of businesses. That is why the government needs to upgrade infrastructure development and make it a priority to facilitate economic development and attract investment opportunities by Kenyans, home and abroad.

Diaspora representation

You may not believe this but many Kenyans abroad do not know or are just out of touch which what is happening in Kenya. Some do not even want to know and don’t see the reason why they should be in the know. Not once do I hear a Kenyan remark at how informed or interested a fellow Kenyan seems with Kenyan affairs. The good news is that under the new constitution, those in the diaspora have a right to vote although an opportunity to do so was missed when the IEBC claimed that those in the diaspora could not vote during the 2013 elections, citing logistic problems. Even with the great contribution that the diaspora makes in the economic development of the country, there is no diaspora representation in the parliament and now in the county governments. Although there are groups that advocate for and help those willing to invest back home, nothing great is achieved due to conflicts e.g. power struggle on who will lead the group, over expectations etc. There should be a liaison between those at home and those in the diaspora and this can only be done by ensuring diaspora representation.

Loss of rights

If you asked Kenyans living abroad, you would find out that most of them would want to return home someday. They miss and love their motherland; you would only have to visit their homes to find out how ‘Kenyanized’ their homes are; Kenyan flags, carvings, Kenyan food and many more. But they are afraid of losing their rights to health or getting to invest in expensive health insurances back home or losing out on welfare benefits (e.g. child benefits)that are enjoyed abroad. The government should therefore work towards policies that assure each and every Kenyan has health rights and other benefits.
 
To conclude,it is worth noting that not every Kenyan is happy or doing well abroad and one doesn't need to go abroad to be successful. The experience of living abroad may be invaluabe, but many people out there would want to come back home. What holds them back is the lack of opportunities back home,corruption,lack of efficient services and  insecurity amongst others which can be solved by pressing the government to deliver. 
For those looking to relocate, carry out due diligence about your host country or from people who have been there and not on  the media (TV, magazines, films) to get a balanced picture of what to expect.

You do not have to go abroad to make it in life.You can stay at home and push your government to deliver by holding it responsible and accountable. The citizens of that developed country you are eyeing did so to their governments and made great sacrifices to be where they are today.

 

To those of us in the diaspora,home is where we are needed most.We are an important asset to our country.
Kenya, just like other African countries is rising and many non-Africans, especially young people have Africa’s interests at heart and are moving to the continent in large masses.

Could this be the  opportune time for us to go back home and claim our rightful place?

That also calls for due diligence.A lot has changed during our absence and we may need to catch up with the changes before we pack the bags and take that flight.