A Kenyan medic based in the United States, identified as Amos Orwa, has triggered heated online debate after challenging the common narrative often shared by diaspora returnees who claim that life back home is better than living in America.
Posting in the popular Facebook travel group Wanderlust Diaries, Orwa questioned the authenticity of stories shared by some Kenyans who relocate back home after years abroad, arguing that their accounts often omit key advantages they enjoy while still maintaining ties to the United States.
He said many returnees frequently discourage others from moving to America by highlighting issues such as concerns over genetically modified foods, reduced social life compared to Kenya, and general dissatisfaction with Western lifestyles.
However, Orwa alleged that such narratives are incomplete.
“These people say they are returning back home after living abroad for years, telling you how the food is genetically modified (GMO), there is no social life abroad compared to Kenya, and so on,” he wrote.
“But one thing they don’t tell you is that they are dual citizens of US and Kenya… when things get tough in Kenya, they can easily fly back to America.”
Orwa further claimed that some of the returnees benefit from US retirement schemes and social support systems, which he suggested provide financial cushioning that is not always acknowledged publicly.
According to him, some retirees receive monthly benefits that, when converted, could range between Ksh150,000 and Ksh300,000—an amount that places them in a relatively comfortable financial position when living in Kenya.
“Imagine between Kshs 150K - Kshs 300K per month for your retirement… these people don’t tell us that!” he added.
He also pointed to what he described as additional privileges associated with holding US citizenship, including access to consular assistance abroad during emergencies and visa-free travel to multiple countries.
“Americans will come for their people in any part of the world in an emergency situation. They don’t mention holding a powerful US passport which can be used to visit more than 100 countries visa-free,” he wrote.
Orwa argued that these advantages significantly shape the experiences of returnees, suggesting that their comfort and mobility are often not available to ordinary Kenyans who remain in the country.