How I manage to invest in Kenya while abroad

I knew I don’t want to die in Sweden the day I arrived here.

I therefore began my investment plan immediately. First to secure a house to live in whenever I visit home and save money on hotels. I could stay with my parents but what about my partner?

So I’m still on the finishing process. I have of course been sharing the whole journey of social media and from the comments I gathered that most people are scared to invest abroad due to trust issues. Mostly because of what they have seen in the past either through their friends or personal experience. I will therefore share how I went about my project and some of the tricks I used to avoid conflict between my family and I:

1. Supportive family

My dad and I had already began the house building process in 2015 which is two years before I left Kenya. When other parents ask you ‘utaoa lini’ mine was like ‘utajenga lini?’. He gave me a piece of land and we started the division process. When I moved to Europe we were able to quickly finish the shell of the house. I’m now working on the windows and doors. My dad is obsessed about the house. He is so passionate about the project. That is all he thinks about. According to my mother, whenever he has guests, he no longer takes them to their home which is a stone throw away. He takes them to mine to see. So cute. Moral of the story? Find someone who wants to see you succeed. Someone who really loves you.

2. Grease their hands

Remember where money is involved temptation is bound to happen. So when you send that ka 50k please send an extra sh 2k for the person handling money. Ajinunulie lunch. That way they will know that if they get involved in monkey business, they will never get that free 2k especially if it’s a long-term project.

3. Let them know life is tough abroad

I had a long conversation with my dad on the sacrifices I have to make to save up that amount. I don’t even buy clothes. I literally can’t save a coin. He understands that we don’t have a money tree in Diaspora.

4. Trust them

I don’t ask for receipts. I ask for results. He is an adult not a 7-year-old child I would require receipts from when I give them money to pay school fees.

5. Incorporate their decisions

While it is my house, I do ask my dad for his opinion every once in a while on designs. I actually incorporate his ideas. I want him to walk into the house and see something he created. It’s very good for his ego!

-catemukei.com