The Answer….
I was at a social function this weekend and a friend remarked to me that this blog was becoming (or maybe it’s always been) too negative. Then someone else asked me why I hadn’t updated in a while.
The truth of the matter is, I’m just running out of things to say. Nobody wants to hear bad news, but there’s very little good news.
So, I’ve decided that with this post, I am going to ask people for the “The Answer” and we can put this into a Kenyan context in various ways.
For example, you hearing from many young people in Kenya today that things are just getting tougher; stuff isn’t working with electricity blackouts & water shortages & crazy politicians, etc, etc….
Then, you have Kenyans in the diaspora who are beginning to feel the effects of this global economy. They’re getting laid off, they’re having a harder time trying to make ends meet (financially) and they are beginning to think that maybe, moving back to Kenya will be their “answer”.
So, physical moving seems to have become the solution for a lot of people, but when you move, you are going to this new place with the same personality and the same brain that you possessed wherever you were in the first place! So, why do people think that going to a different location will address their fundamental problems?
In this respect, I’d like to hear from Kenyans who are spread out all over the world and I want you to tell us about your experiences of working in different countries and compare it to what you experienced in Kenya (and for those based in Kenya, tell people who are thinking about moving back, what they should realistically expect). I’m assuming we’ll get some positive stories (to balance things out, but also some realistic stories for those who prefer not to live in a land of fantasy).
*** I came across this funny poem that was dedicated to Goldman Sach’s and all the money they’re making thanks to taxpayer bailouts.
Dear God who art at Goldman…..
Blankfein be thy name…….
Thy rally’s come, God’s work be done In the Dow as it is in the Nasdaq
Give us this day our daily gain And forgive us our frontruning..
As we punish those who frontrun against us….
And bring us not under indictment, but deliver us from regulators
For thine is the cashflow, and the power, and the bonuses, forever and ever. Amen
May God bless all our hyperinflated, debt ridden, recession bound souls….
If your tired of writting negative stuff or need a break, you can always have a co-writer.Maybe an optimist. You can also invite one of your loyal readers to write a post or two.
Invite us in your posts. Ask us what we would like you to write about. A kind of a suggestion box. We may even give you a scandal or two before it even hits nation newspaper
Annons:
Oh..if you have scandals, please email them to me. I love scandalous stories, especially those about money & theft and hidden bank accounts….oh yeah..I want to know where these crazy Africans are hiding their coin.
Thanks for posting a ‘more’ debatable subject.
I will offer my two cents….
First there is always two sides of a story and this is not more pronounced than in Kenya. When you speak of people who lived in the West and then moved back, most will tell you it’s best thing to happen from sliced bread. Now ask those who never left and do whatever business or jobs they do, and the country couldn’t be more prosporous. Then drive a few miles and poverty hits you like a brick.
For those who know the meaning of hard work and getting rewarded for your hard work, this don’t make sense. I will explain.
The first job in Kenya is drinking/Partying. Bulge drinking is a sport. It is so common, families and jobs are secondary. Well everyone has their own priorities and run their lives differently. But there is noway you can drink until 3am and head to the office 8am and be both effective & efficient. For a country with a supposedly a high population of college graduates and very few jobs, how can that behavior be torelated?
This leads me to my real core perception about the state of Kenya. Either you are a crook like a conman, thief etc or you inherited a fortune from your family like a business or money. The later will explain the Paris Hilton lifestyle.
Please note businesses that are not defined fall in the crook category. Ever talk to people who just say ‘people are making a killing in Kenya but can’t define what they do?’
As for the West, this is no better either. Corruption, favorism, taxation are order of the day. Now the state I reside in increased the sales tax. Go figure, the poor get poorer.
I’m starting to believe in this heaven theory. With rivers of honey and Hooters in each corner. Ops did I say Hooters?
Keep working hard, it’s better than buying lottery tickets or imagining a life with four house girls but sleepless night due to thugs.
KE,
I think you are suffering a type of syndrome related from fatigue. This type of syndrome usually occurs when all too much attention is given to complaining than to looking for solutions.
Let us be real KE, you try to come up with solutions but most of them fall short of being practical. More like a copy paste relationship.
Anyway since you have not accomplished anything with the complaining approach why don’t you just for a change try a solutions approach.
Or like Anonymous said you probably need a moderator but i can’t imagine what a moderator would go through under you watch. You come through as a control freak at times.
Didier:
I have never tried to come up with solutions. That is way beyond the ability of this or any other blog.
Blogs, as I’ve said before, are purely informational. If you chose to use the information in a practical way for your own use, then that’s fine. However, if not, then most people simply chose to read blogs for their own entertainment purposes.
A moderator or co-author won’t work. You’d be amazed at how many people complain to me, but when asked to contribute, are unable to come up with anything (at least in writing).
Anyway, back to the topic at hand: what are your thoughts on this whole global work experience issue? Maybe YOU can give us “the answer”.
Kinoo:
I generally agree with the sentiments you have expressed above, but many people either don’t want to believe it or just don’t want to accept the reality and it’s not really about being negative. It’s about coming to terms with a system that exists and understanding what that system is about. Fooling oneself into believing that Kenya is a meritocracy will not change that system. In some ways, it is better to acknowledge what it is and to make moves based on this reality and not based on some fantasy.
KE,
Ok back to topics. Personally i prefer working abroad since for some un understable reason i never felt being in Kenya helped me grow in a personal sense. I always felt there is always a very wide gap in communication in Kenya i mean like the people are drenched in closet Ethnic obsessions. Its almost like everybody in Kenya lives in two worlds. One is the closet Kenyan person and the other is the physical Kenyan person you know. The closet person always come up whenever you bring up any issue regarding development. The closet Kenyan is one that showed up in the 2007 GE, the person that is natured by pure stereotypical closet absurdity.
Again it also depends on what kind of circles you hang around in Kenya. Like i said in previous post on this topic. Kenya is for old people with gray hair and wreckled faces who have reached a point in life where they feel their productivity is up for the GAMBLE.
Again thats my own opinion. See you guys at forty or fifty or may be sixty who knows-lets wait and see how my productivity curve goes. The
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it.
KE,
I recently came across your blog site and very interesting opinions from all. And while some have criticized you for being negative, it’s the bitter truth that you try to bring out. Just like being in Kenya and being told America is all this and that, only to come and find out it’s not perfect.
Anyway, I’m 29 and have been contemplating going back to Kenya after being here 10yrs. I have been my research and also trying to prepare myself psychologically for this. Too bad this post died too soon; I would have liked to hear more from people, what I should expect.
For one I know it will be hard to get a job as I saw in this story, http://kenyanjobs.blogspot.com.....-with.html
Search is an example of what to expect and it’s sad that so many aspiring Kenyans are shun away while they want to participate in nation building. And you wonder why people don’t want to go back.
I’m thinking starting my own small business (already shopping for ideas) while looking for a job. And like you said, start small, nothing fancy. While I know it will be a humbling effect being back (no car, 24-7 electricity and water etc) I want to hear from people out there what more I should expect.
P.
Before you go back home wanting to reclaim some salvation, make sure you have invested in a brighter future with some reasonable plans that work for you. Top of all, before you make your quick exit, I highly suggest two things.
1.)Cash is king. Have some set out for atleast 1 year especially if you are going into business, I wouldn’t rely on the banking system to provide you loans, etc.
2.) Ask yourself what skillset you have that will generate you income, find something that separates you from those already operating in your chosen domain. There is nothing wrong with replicating successful businesses, but, they have time and a proven track record so taking their share of the pie will be harder.
3.) Apprentice if you must.. no need to start off with a business. Find and hang out with decision makers..learn the trade, become their FRIENDS. your lifestyle may take a hit, but in a year or two you may find yourself with a great clientele. I personally advocate this path as it has worked for me. No need to start off with as another fish in the sea. We all know who you know is what makes the world go round.. what you know will then determine how long you stay there.
If all else fails.. loosen up the tie, unbotton the shirt, call yourself a consultant.