I am in my 30s. Four months ago, I was deported to Kenya from North America, where I had lived for about 10 years. I returned with nothing and have been living with my parents.
While abroad, I earned close to Sh1 million a month. I have turned down several job offers because of the low salaries, some as little as Sh50,000. My father is angry with me. Recently, I was offered a job that pays about Sh46,000 net a month. My immediate goal is to save enough money to leave the country as soon as possible.
If I accept this job, it will be mainly because I no longer want to disappoint my parents. But what can Sh46,000 get me in Nairobi? Is it enough to start over and make ends meet? Alexander
Dominic Karanja, a financial planning and investments consultant, responds:
This transition is deeply disorienting, and your emotional response is understandable.
Your reluctance to accept a lower-paying job is not necessarily a matter of pride. It may be your way of resisting a sudden and painful change in your circumstances and sense of identity.
I recommend accepting the Sh46,000 net monthly salary and using the next 12 months to rebuild your finances and career. Taking the job would be your first step towards regaining financial independence.
Although your circumstances have changed, you still have 10 years of international experience, professional exposure and skills that helped you build your previous life.
Take the job for the income, structure and opportunity to regain your footing, not simply to satisfy your father. Explain to your family that you are taking the opportunity seriously while working towards a longer-term plan. Rather than trying to recreate your former lifestyle immediately, focus on establishing stability, rebuilding your confidence and positioning yourself for better opportunities.
To manage your Sh46,000 net salary, I recommend the standard 50:30:20 budgeting framework: allocate 50 per cent (Sh23,000) to essential needs, 30 per cent (Sh13,800) to personal and lifestyle expenses, and 20 per cent (Sh9,200) to savings and financial security.
The needs allocation should cover modest accommodation in areas such as Kasarani, Roysambu or Utawala, groceries, public transport and basic utilities. The personal allocation can cater for upkeep, phone and internet costs for job searches, minor medical expenses and basic setup costs without encouraging lifestyle inflation. Put the remaining Sh9,200 into savings or a dedicated relocation fund. This would give you approximately Sh110,400 over 12 months.
Your desire to leave Kenya and return abroad is understandable. However, treat this as a planned career and migration goal rather than an urgent escape. Update your CV to highlight your North American experience, pursue better-paying opportunities with multinational companies and international organisations, and explore legitimate overseas employment and migration options.
Above all, do not let pride, embarrassment or family pressure dictate your decisions. Four months is a very short time to adjust to such a major change. Starting over in your 30s is nothing to be ashamed of. Your father's frustration may stem from his desire to see you regain your independence, but your current circumstances do not define your worth or prospects.
Think of the Sh46,000 salary as a starting point for rebuilding your independence, not a measure of your success or your final destination. The job offers an immediate financial lifeline, reduces your dependence on your parents, restores routine and gives you a base from which to pursue better-paying local roles, remote international opportunities or consulting work.
