Former Kenyan radio presenter Jeridah Andayi has spoken out against the unrealistic expectations many Kenyans place on relatives who relocate to the United States, explaining that living abroad does not automatically guarantee wealth or a luxurious lifestyle. The media personality, who moved to America with her children, says many immigrants face financial difficulties and emotional pressure while trying to establish themselves in a new country. Her remarks have sparked an important conversation about the realities of life in the diaspora and the assumption that everyone living in the US enjoys financial comfort. Jeridah explained that starting a new life abroad often involves rebuilding from scratch, working towards personal goals and adjusting to unfamiliar circumstances. She also urged families back home to show patience and understanding instead of expecting their relatives abroad to provide instant financial support.
On Thursday, October 29, Jeridah addressed the issue through a social media post after receiving repeated questions from people wondering why she did not appear to live a luxurious American lifestyle. She questioned the assumptions behind such comments, explaining that the experience of living in the United States differs from one person to another. According to the former radio presenter, moving to America does not mean finding money waiting or immediately enjoying the lifestyle people associate with the country. She explained that most people have to work hard, establish themselves and gradually pursue their ambitions. Her response challenged the popular belief that anyone who relocates to the US must automatically become financially successful.
Jeridah was particularly concerned about the pressure placed on Kenyans living abroad by relatives and friends back home. She explained that some families expect their loved ones to start sending large amounts of money shortly after arriving in a foreign country. However, such expectations often ignore the financial responsibilities immigrants face as they settle into unfamiliar environments. Finding employment, paying rent, meeting daily expenses and adjusting to a different way of life can take considerable time. Some immigrants also have to support their children while trying to build financial stability. Jeridah argued that families should understand these challenges rather than assume that relocating abroad immediately creates an opportunity to become wealthy.
The former presenter also revealed that many Kenyans living abroad struggle quietly because they do not want to disappoint their families back home. She explained that some people avoid discussing their financial difficulties because they fear hurting relatives who expect them to succeed. This silence can create a misleading picture of diaspora life, making people in Kenya believe that everyone living overseas is financially comfortable. In reality, some immigrants may be dealing with financial stress, demanding work schedules and the pressure of meeting expectations from several family members. Others may be working towards long-term goals that require years of patience and sacrifice. Jeridah’s comments highlighted the importance of recognising that people abroad also experience difficulties that deserve understanding and support.
In her social media caption, Jeridah expanded on the difference between the image of America and the reality many immigrants experience. She explained that not everyone who moves to the United States is interested in becoming rich or living like a Hollywood celebrity. Some people relocate because they want peace of mind, better opportunities or a chance to experience a different environment. Others may simply want to pursue personal ambitions and create a more stable future for themselves and their children. She emphasised that these goals do not necessarily involve expensive houses, luxury vehicles or extravagant spending. Her message encouraged people to stop measuring the success of immigrants by the possessions they display or the amount of money they send home.
The expectations surrounding Kenyans in the diaspora have long been a subject of discussion within families and online communities. When someone announces plans to relocate to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or another foreign country, relatives may immediately begin imagining the financial opportunities that could follow. In some families, the person who moves abroad becomes an important source of financial support for parents, siblings and extended relatives. While helping family members is a meaningful responsibility for many Kenyans, problems arise when support becomes an automatic expectation rather than a voluntary decision based on someone’s circumstances. Immigrants still have their own bills, responsibilities and financial goals to manage. Jeridah’s message therefore raises an important question about how families can maintain healthy relationships without placing unrealistic financial demands on loved ones abroad.
Another important issue highlighted by her remarks is the difference between earning money in a foreign country and having disposable income. People sometimes assume that salaries in the United States automatically translate into wealth when converted into Kenyan shillings. However, immigrants must also deal with expenses such as housing, transportation, food, healthcare, taxes and childcare. These costs can consume a significant portion of their earnings, depending on where they live and their personal circumstances. Someone who earns a salary that appears impressive from Kenya may still have limited money left after meeting essential expenses. This is why judging someone’s financial success purely by the country in which they live can create unfair expectations.
Jeridah’s experience as a mother who relocated with her children also brings attention to the responsibilities that come with raising a family abroad. Parents moving to another country must consider their children’s education, accommodation, healthcare and general well-being while adjusting to a new environment themselves. They may also have to balance employment with childcare and other household responsibilities. Such commitments can make the process of settling down more demanding than outsiders realise. Building a comfortable life takes time, particularly for people who do not arrive with established financial resources or extensive support networks. Her remarks serve as a reminder that relocation should not be viewed as an instant solution to every financial challenge.
The former radio presenter also encouraged Kenyans to give people living abroad grace and patience as they work towards their ambitions. Her message was not that immigrants should abandon their families or refuse to offer assistance. Instead, she wanted people to recognise that everyone has different circumstances and that financial success cannot be measured by geographical location alone. Families should allow their relatives to settle, establish themselves and make decisions according to their financial abilities. They should also understand that personal goals may involve pursuing peace, education, career growth or a better environment rather than accumulating wealth. Showing support without imposing unreasonable demands can help protect family relationships and reduce unnecessary emotional pressure.
Her remarks have also resonated with the wider conversation about the pressures of maintaining appearances on social media. Photographs of expensive cars, beautiful homes and overseas holidays can create the impression that life abroad is consistently comfortable. However, social media rarely captures the full financial picture behind such lifestyles. People may share their achievements without discussing their debts, monthly expenses or the sacrifices required to maintain their standard of living. Others deliberately keep their struggles private because they do not want to invite criticism or worry their families. Jeridah’s comments encourage a more realistic understanding of life in the diaspora, reminding audiences that what people see online does not always reflect their everyday experiences.
Jeridah Andayi’s message ultimately challenges Kenyans to reconsider what they expect from relatives who move abroad. Relocating to the United States does not guarantee instant wealth, financial freedom or a Hollywood lifestyle. Many immigrants must start from scratch, work through difficult circumstances and gradually build the lives they want. Her appeal for patience, grace and understanding highlights the importance of supporting loved ones without turning their relocation into an automatic financial obligation. For families with relatives in America and other parts of the world, the message is simple: celebrate their opportunities, respect their struggles and allow them time to succeed on their own terms.
