Things in Kenya Are very bad

[sema]

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I live, work and travel between Nairobi, Kajiado and Meru counties frequently. Here's what stands the most about each county (for me):

Meru: small farms and high unemployment rate.

Farms have become so small, they're not commercially viable. This plus failed rainfall seasons the last couple years, most crops are for subsistence, and some stopped cultivation altogether. Dairy farming is still strong, even in the villages, but there's a real struggle with fodder..

Unemployment is so bad though, I know young people, even my own relatives, wasting away at home. You stop by to greet people and everyone is asking for a job for their child.

It's so painful and heartbreaking seeing a young person waste away, doing nothing at home, and this is for those who haven't joined substance/drug abuse or crime.

Their mothers all over worried, and doing all they can to secure jobs for their children, but efforts not amounting to anything. It is a lie, and avoidance when government tells people to create jobs.

Kajiado: Harsh environment conditions and literal fight to eke a living

Growing up in a relatively green area at a time when rains were consistent, and times were easier, I've never encountered struggle for survival until I lived in rural Kajiado. I will not reveal where exactly but its somewhere close to Taveta and Tanzania border.

Everyday is a struggle to exist, from drought that never seems to end, land that is overgrazed, bare soils with big plumes of dust, emaciated cattle and goats, a people that the government forgot, no public hospital or education services, and those that exist are hundreds of kilometers away...

And every food you put on your table, it is out of your blood, sweat and tears... Despite paying so much in taxes including local County taxes when selling cattle/goats. In fact, the government is fighting you and your way of life. So you are fighting both the government and the environment (and conservation folk), and it feels a losing battle. And like there's no one on your corner, it's a lonely battle.

Saving grace is water, a bit of water, that migrant farmers come to do irrigation with. They leave some money circulating in the local economy, but most profits are exported back.

Nairobi: The city of extremes

Its always so interesting to me how there are places you can live in Nairobi that would shield you from problems in this country, we call it Kenya A. In Kenya A, you've access to hospitals that don't have long patient queues, with modern equipment and highly trained staff. You've access to schools and curriculums of your choice. To efficient and modern transport systems.. You are not fighting the environment, and in fact, all systems are catered to you and your money.

If you have proper money, Nairobi is the best city in the world and Kenya A is so far removed from the realities of the rest of the country. There have been times I've wished for that Kenya A life, but really this shouldn't be the case.. We all deserve equal access and opportunities, whether you are in Kenya A, B, Meru or Kajiado. The inequalities in this country are soul crashing.

[lelewela]

Things have always been like this only change i see that is extremely dangerous is population increase and lack of jobs. And wash wash politicians

[sema]

I think before people at least kept their farms and were able to grow their own food, but now, many have turned their farms into ugly apartment buildings so that is going to be a huge problem for the younger population.  They're not farming and many don't even know how to anymore.

So, yes, the population increase is a problem given the lack of farming, but also the environment over the years has been depleted (I heard omtatah saying the soils are not the same due to the use of too many chemicals over the years and possibly also climate change)


Our grand-parents lived off their farms. This younger generation is in big trouble. No farms, no land, no jobs.....what will they do? They'll have to keep immigrating to gulf countries.

I was talking to a friend recently that used to live in the US and then decided to move back to kenya and he is doing very badly now and I was thinking to myself about what a dumb move it was that he made.  You don't leave one of the richest countries in the world and move back to one of the poorest most corrupt countries in the world and think your chances there will be better.  It makes no sense unless you are politically connected and can steal.