Why your dream should not be to live in Nairobi

Are you a young professional or soon to be? A student in high school or college, dreaming to secure a nice job in future and settle down, enjoy life in Kenya's metropolis, the City in the Sun? Forget it.

Nairobi is no longer Nairobi. Settle down in Kajiado, Bungoma, Isiolo or Marsabit. Do farming or start a business in Nakuru, Kisumu, Kisii, Narok , Migori, Kitale, Elmore, Machakos or Namanga, Naivasha, Isebania and other smaller towns. All the multi-billionaires you see in Nairobi, today (except for the post-independence wheeler-dealers ) started investing when Nairobi was beginning. Don't be surprised if you become the billionaire in Karatina tomorrow, in case you start today.

A long time ago people rushed to Nairobi, aiming to enjoy social amenities and infrastructural facilities such as water, electricity, hospitals, good road networks, stadia and parks. But as things appear now, living in the countryside is worthwhile.

Nairobi City is the thirstiest and filthiest town in Kenya today, possibly in Africa, with pipes going dry for the third month of the year. Waters vendors have taken advantage as they now sell dirty water to residents. Now, mark this date, where l live in Eastlands, the 20litre jerican is Sh100!

Garbage is what you kick at your door step. Contracted companies don't dispose of them. They collect the dirt using lorries, then hide somewhere and wait for dusk, when they will be dropping in everywhere in the estates. Don't forget they had won the tender to collect and dispose of rubbish. Remember you had paid with your tax for the service.

No stadia, no roads. Build them upcountry. Nairobi is simply suffocated. Here they grab even schools. Nairobi has the worst undeveloped feeder roads in the world oozing sewage. Houses are expensive, not maintained, harsh and managed by proud landlords. Nairobi just the broke the record of being the worst city to live in because of traffic jams.

If it is electricity then come not! Of late, Nairobi has had the worst power outages in history. Five years to be precise despite the increased power prices by KPC.

The crime rate is rising that even small gangs have the audacity to threaten the lives of one of the best armed and equipped police services officers in this region and Africa. If you must come to settle in Nairobi, no alternative, well and good. But if it is not a must, only come to Nairobi for important issues. With devolution, Nairobi need not be your dream city unless dreaming is part of your preoccupation. Let us build other Nairobis and decongest her.