i find these kind of posts very pretentious...........

I just had to come and post this.. I really do think Famooz that you're entitled to your opinion but for some reason your post really pissed me off. I've been telling myself not to think about it but I get more upset. First of all I come here and "fungua roho" at a forum that I'm glad I found because it looks like people really do discuss issues, and then someone who doesn't even know me from Adam decides to bunch my post with other generalized posts and judge me before even hearing my story. I've had enough from you and every other Kenyan who judges those of us who are out here. We aren't all sellouts and you all just need to stop it.

What is so pretentious about my post? Let me guess, the fact that I say I didn't want to leave but ended up doing so anyway? What would you expect of a 19 year old girl, you wanted me to stay at home nisimalize shule just to show my patriotism? Ndio niwe niking'oa reli Raila akishindwa?

Or is it the fact that I say it's broadened my horizons and my knowledge? Has it not? Kenya is great - why else would I want to go back? - but travel does teach you a lot.

Could it be that I "patronizingly" insinuate that I'm of more use to my country out here? Is that so impossible to figure out?

Or is it the fact that you think I am talking about moving home, yet haven't done so already, so I'm just "payukaing"? How do you know that?

Or that I've been here six years, so you think I'm "Americanized" and detached? Yet I visit home every year, speak my language better than those I left at home,still have my Kenyan accent when some wannabes who have never crossed a single boundary except the ones that say "Goodbye, you are now leaving Nairobi, Hello, you are now entering Limuru" speak like Wobbut Nagila???? I can cook any traditional Kenyan food AND I eat Kenyan food every day - my house is no different from a house at home. I still confuse dollars with shillings. I am Kenyan to the core and have made sure people do not get that wrong.

I can't even believe I'm spending time trying to prove myself to you but umenikasirisha sana. Takes one to know the other, so we know who's pretentious here. Sijui nini inakuwasha. Nkt.

But you're still entitled to your opinion.

I'm no expert by any means, but from what I've heard, you should get yourself an EQB diaspora bank account and start sending money to it... as much as you can. If you have a good job in the states, keep making that money and sending it home while you have it. Don't have checks or a debit card so that you can't spend it. Every time you have extra money, send it. Live very frugally, and sell all your stuff. Keep doing this until you can't stand it anymore and are longing to go home. As far as finding a place to live, I know that I'm going to get flamed for this, but I think that Nairobi Real Estate prices are in a BUBBLE. As far as how much money you need, from my research, I've heard that you can live on $2000 a month, so, put away a few years of living expenses before returning, unless you are planning to live in the shags and can do your business from there. Also, if you haven't been back in several years, if you can, it makes sense to visit before you move so that you can get a good idea of what the business climate looks like.

Cheers,

Hill

@ waridi, wohohohoho go easy on the accelerator........i have read 1/4 of your response hapo juu ....too long for me,too early in the morning to recieve a msomo. That said,you will quickly realise that my post will not prevent good people of wazua from giving you advice,plenty.some will even give you ideas on where to live,where to buy your ride,good business location etc etc...... now breath in and out.

Pretend you did not see the post if you have no advice to give.