Kenyan Returnees: If Jobs Were Good Abroad, Why Come Back Home?
Three Kenyan women who spent years working abroad have described the personal and professional factors that led them to return home, citing family responsibilities, career limits, and the pressures of living overseas.
Jackline Gachoka moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2010 for what was intended to be a short visit. She secured a front desk position at a Pilates studio in Dubai and progressed to a managerial role over ten years.
Despite her career growth, the high cost of living and the demands of raising children abroad became difficult to manage. Rental obligations, expensive utilities, and irregular work shifts placed strain on her family life. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, prolonged time indoors with her children influenced her decision to return to Kenya.
She now manages Dojo Wellness Club in Nairobi, although she notes that inefficiencies in local systems remain a challenge. Magdalene Wambui relocated to Cambodia in 2010. After initially struggling with the language, she established herself in the education sector and became a certified teacher.
The lower cost of living and access to a large expatriate community allowed her to travel across Asia. After 15 years, she concluded that her career progression had reached its limit and chose to return to Kenya in 2025 to be closer to her family. She briefly worked in social media before taking up a teaching position in Tanzania.
While living costs are higher than in Cambodia, she values her proximity to home and her continued work in education. Yvonne Metet moved to the United Kingdom in 2022 to pursue a Master’s degree in agri-food technology. However, immigration regulations and limited sponsorship opportunities led her to work in the healthcare sector.
The demands of caregiving, combined with the inability to bring her children to live with her, influenced her decision to leave. After returning to Kenya, she started a bakery and cereals business.
