Nairobi Men Are Poor Financial Planners Compared To Ushago Counterparts, Kenyan Stirs Internet

• A significant number of Kenyans would quickly move to cities in the hope of getting greener pastures
• The Kenyan on X argued that despite the trend, Kenyans who resorted to living in rural areas were having fulfilling lives than their counterparts in the cities
• He claimed that most male city dwellers, especially Nairobi men were not good financial planners and would plunder their income on luxuries and not assets as counterparts in ushago

The debate on whether to invest in one's native home or in the city has been ongoing for a long time.

Investment ideas in Kenya

Those who agree that one needs to have assets in their native homes go ahead to build magnificent houses, invest in business and projects like dairy and poultry farming.

Others who are against the idea argue that it is wise for one to buy land and build within or near the urban centres that they live in, saying that building a house that one hardly lives in, in their native homes was a waste of resources.

This school of thought proponents also say that running a business in one's native or rural home was hardly successful especially where relatives are core to the running of the investments.

To reignite this discussion, a Kenyan on X known as Warui John alias KOT OCS argued that men in rural homes were living more fulfilled lives than their counterparts in the city.

Ushago Kenya

He argued that Kenyan men in rural areas also known as ushago, ocha or mucatha, would enjoy life with not so expensive assets like a motorbike, livestock and a semi-permanent home.

According to Warui, a Kenyan man with such assets would easily educate their children, empower their spouse and keep growing financially.

On the other hand he bashed employed men living in cities, specifically Nairobi, saying they could hardly save invest or multiply their income.

"Ushago kuna morio ako na Nduthi, Ng'ombe 3 za kukamua,amejenga nyumba yake ya mabati, 3 rooms, iko na stima na majii, ameoa, watoto wanasoma na amefungulia bibi duka ( In rural areas you'll find a man with a motobike with three dairy cows has build a three-room house connected to water and electricity has married a wife whom he opened a shop for and is educating his children," he said.

Nairobi men lifestyles

Warui also explained that a man earning KSh 70,000 per month in Nairobi could not match the income generation and fulfillment of the other man in ushago.

"But Nairobi iko jamaa anapata 70K per month, anaishi nyumba ya kurent, hana bibi, hana watoto, kazi ni kung'ara na kujipaka cologne (But in Nairobi, you'll find a man earning KSh 70,000 per month is staying in a rented house, is not married and does not have children is just spending his money on luxury brands clothes and expensive colognes)

"Na anadhani ako sawa kwa maisha Ushago guys wako mbele sana (And they think that they have made it in life. Failures.)," said Warui.

A Kenyan on X sought to differ with Warui's argument, saying that Nairobi men had more money but were subjected to many expenses like food and shelter.

"Sasa makosa iko kwa jamaa kuishi kwa bedsitter ama? Is there a problem for someone to live in a bedsitter house?) Juu what I know watu wako ushago hawana pesa mingi but kitu hawatawahi kosa ni chakula, food hukuwa abundant (I know the ushago guys do not have much money but also have plenty of food thus no expenditure," Kafagi said.

Rural to urban migration in Kenya

Felix argued that success should not be measured solely by material possessions or social status, explaining that rural areas had unique wealth.

Austin Shanki took a neutral stance on the debate, saying that provided all them were happy, then that was what matters.

"Bora wote wako happy me sioni shida (provided all are happy I don't see a problem). We all view life differently," said Shanki.

Rural to urban migration is a common trend in Kenya where people from ushago move into cities hoping to get greener pastures.