Why Do Kenyan Parents Hoard Their Inheritance?

In Kenya, inheritance is a mystery novel with missing pages. Parents buy land, build businesses, invest in property, but when you ask about the future, suddenly, it's 'God’s plan.' The same parents who struggle day and night to provide will let their children battle through terrible jobs instead of integrating them into family businesses. Why?

The Kenyan Parent’s Mindset: “I Suffered, You Must Suffer Too”

If you ask many Kenyan parents why they don’t teach their children about their businesses—whether it’s a successful dairy farm, a well-stocked kiosk, or a thriving matatu business—the answer is often, “Si mimi nilianza na zero, hata wewe utaanza na zero.” Translation? “I started from nothing, so should you.” This suffering Olympics mindset is why many Kenyans graduate straight into struggle while their parents have assets that could cushion them.

Farming is for ‘Shamba Boys’ but Not Their Children

Take a family that owns acres of farmland and makes a solid income from farming. The children, however, are packed off to Nairobi to find 'real jobs' because “shamba ni ya wajinga”. The result? The farm eventually collapses because no one took an interest, and the children end up hustling in the city, paying exorbitant rent while family land lies idle.

Lesson: Farming is a business. If your children grow up seeing it as a last resort, they will never take it seriously. Teach them the trade and show them that agriculture is wealth.

The Great Land Hoarding Mentality

Kenyan parents buy land like their last name is Kenya. Every shilling is poured into plots, but when you ask about the title deeds? “Ni ya familia” (It belongs to the family). Fast forward 20 years, and that same land is now a battleground for sibling disputes because no one knew who owned what.

Lesson: If you plan to leave land to your children, discuss it with them. Tell them where the papers are. Don’t let them find out through a lawyer or a cousin with ulterior motives.

The Business Legacy That Never Gets Passed Down

Many Kenyans grew up with parents running successful kiosks, wholesale shops, boda boda businesses, or even mitumba stalls. Yet, these same children were never allowed to touch the business.

Kenyan parents believe sending their kids to school means they should never have to work in 'small' businesses. So, instead of learning how to run and expand the family business, these children end up job hunting while the business struggles or collapses when the parent can no longer manage it.

Lesson: Train your children. Let them understand cash flow, supplier relationships, and customer management. A small business today can be a great empire tomorrow.

Inheritance Isn’t a Secret, It’s a Responsibility

Many Kenyan parents keep their financial affairs under lock and key, sometimes even from their spouse. Children are expected to 'figure things out' when they pass away. This secrecy is what leads to inheritance wars, fraudulent land sales, and broken families.

Lesson: Talk about it. If you have land, let your family know where the documents are. If you have a business, ensure your children know how it runs. Inheritance isn’t just about money—it’s about passing on knowledge, assets, and stability.

When is the Right Time to Give Your Kids Their Inheritance?

When they are ready to manage it, not when you're gone – Train them while you are alive.
In stages, not all at once – Give responsibility over time so they learn the ropes.
With clear instructions – Avoid vague promises. Put it in writing.
With mentorship, not just wealth – Guide them on growing and sustaining what you leave behind.

Final Thought

Kenyan parents must shift their mindset. The goal isn’t just to leave something behind but to prepare the next generation to build on it. Wealth that isn’t managed properly disappears. Let’s start talking about inheritance while we are still alive—before our children are left with nothing but court cases and regrets.

What are your thoughts? Have you seen these scenarios play out? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Know Thyself: The Quiet Power of Naming Your Nature

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” — Carl Jung We live in a culture that equates good intentions with goodness, and ambition with ability. But very few people in Kenya—or anywhere—truly know what they are made of. We can name our qualifications and our dreams. But ask someone their vices or virtues, and they hesitate. Worse, they lie. The Danger of Self-Unawareness In Kenya today, many of us are wandering through life making choices—big, small, and irreversible—without truly understanding who we are. We end up in jobs we despise, relationships we shouldn’t be in, or positions of influence we aren’t emotionally or ethically equipped for. And at the root of this dysfunction is a simple truth: we don’t know ourselves. This is not a spiritual or abstract dilemma. It’s a deeply practical one. To know oneself is to understand your vices, your virtues, your weaknesses, and your strengths—not in a vague sense, but in detail. Let’s ge...

The Great Kenyan Home Ownership Madness: Dreams vs. Reality

Owning a home is a big dream for many Kenyans, but somewhere along the way, practicality has been thrown out the window. Too many people, driven by childhood aspirations or societal expectations, are constructing massive houses only to end up living like misers within them. Let’s break down why this trend makes little sense and what smarter, more sustainable homeownership looks like. The Harsh Reality of Owning a Big House in Kenya Many Kenyans, especially those who grew up in humble backgrounds, grew up being told to “dream big.” Unfortunately, this has translated into building unnecessarily large houses, often with rooms that remain unused, multiple verandahs gathering dust, and massive balconies that no one actually sits on. These houses cost millions to build, yet within a few years, the owners are struggling to maintain them, regretting their choices as they pour more money into renovations. If you need proof, just look at how many old houses in Nairobi remain unsold. No one wants...

Entrepreneurship Myth In Kenya

Have you ever walked through different parts of Kenya and wondered how some of these tiny, almost hidden businesses survive? You pass by a cramped shop selling second-hand clothes, plastic buckets, hangers, and random jewelry. You pause for a second and ask yourself—who is actually buying all this? How is this business making money? Is it money laundering, or are these genuine businesses barely getting by in ways we don’t understand? I ask myself these same questions all the time. Earlier this year, I got an inside look. I was part of a project that involved collecting data on small businesses across Kenya—kiosks, market stalls, tailors, salons, fruit vendors, milk sellers, repair shops, cybers… all the businesses that make up the backbone of our economy. What I found was both eye-opening and brutally honest. The Reality Behind the Business Dream We love to romanticize entrepreneurship. Motivational speakers will tell you that employment is slavery and that starting your own business i...

KenyaOnAShoeString: Real Advice for Real Kenyans

Search This Blog