Germany-based content creator Nyako has drawn wide attention online after a candid TikTok livestream about her 27 years in Europe. She said the continent never gave her the life she had hoped for.
Nyako's frank view of life abroad
In a reflective, selfie-style livestream, wistful mood, Nyako recalled moving abroad at 23. Fast forward to 50, and she says there is little to show for it beyond the clean roads and fresh air.
She said she is among those who have gained nothing from living in Europe.
"Twenty years I have ripped nothing," she said. "Abroad is about going to work, paying your tax, go to work, pay your tax. Nothing much about it."
Where the Years Went
Nyako went on to describe how startling it was to look back and see that the years had gone, with nothing much built in that time.
Nyako said the years passed before she noticed. She left Kenya at 23 and is now 50. "What can I show?" she asked. "All those years have been in Europe, nothing."
She credited TikTok as one of the few positives of her time abroad. She also had a message for Kenyans planning to follow her path.
"If you have something going on for you in Kenya, stay here."
She said that includes those with family who love them or a partner who adores them.
In her view, only a chance meeting with a wealthy partner would change things for the better. Otherwise, she said, "Abroad is hand to mouth, like Kenya."
Kenyans react to Nyako's warning
Her candid admission drew a wide range of responses from viewers:
@unknown said: "If you're not careful, this can be your reality 😅. I know people who have done nothing in 20 years and others who have done a lot in less than 10 years; it's all up to you as a person."
@kendyali said: "That is not true. Some of us are doing very well in life."
@MISH said: "But watu wako huko are doing a lot hapa Kenya, and we can see from family members. One failure is not for all."
@Clare Shelly said: "But it depends on someone's luck."
@Dantez said: "The system there is set like that to keep you trapped in the matrix."
