There are two things that are very hard in Kenya: to clinch any top political seat and to get rich. Google’s English dictionary by Oxford Languages defines “getting rich” as having a great deal of money or assets; wealthy.
To make it in Kenya, Timsimon Kimani, more popularly known as Bamboo, says the escape route is nearly always only finding a way to earn USD while in the country (a skill he teaches), studying courses like engineering, dentistry, and nursing that require government certification to practise, or inheriting the money.
“Otherwise, you will never escape the rat race,” says Bamboo, the former top secular rapper turned truly gifted preacher. He blames the stressful pursuit of financial success for the rise of occultism and countless get-rich-quick schemes in the country.
Drawing from his insights and other successful voices, here are 10 unspoken rules to escape poverty in Kenya;
Tips: Kenya’s Secret Playbook for Beating Poverty
1. Find a rich mentor and serve them
Wealthy people hold secrets that books won’t teach you. If you can get close to one, let’s say by working for them, running errands, or just being useful, you’ll learn more than any classroom could ever teach you.
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2. Master the art of lying low
Poverty becomes permanent when you live above your means in a “showbiz” manner. Many people make money but waste it trying to look rich. Stay low, avoid unnecessary attention, and build in silence.
3. Understand “under-the-table” business
This is how things work in Africa—not everything is advertised, and not all deals are done in daylight. Learn how money truly moves in your industry. The biggest opportunities are usually not on billboards or TV but through quiet conversations and connections. In fact, it’s often the washed-up leftovers that are advertised. Usually, if you see it published, it’s already too late.
4. Control your libido
Truth be told, poverty multiplies when you have more children than you can afford. Many stay broke because they keep expanding their responsibilities without expanding their income. Have kids strategically, not emotionally. And never let your erection determine your direction.
5. Use alcohol/entertainment as a tool, not a trap!
In Kenya, approximately one in every eight adults currently uses alcohol. This does not mean that all are languishing in poverty.
The poor use alcohol to escape reality; the rich use it to build networks. If you must drink, drink with people who can change your financial status. Entertainment should be a gateway to connections, not an escape from responsibility.
6. Attach yourself to “big gamers”
If you see someone or something rising, be it an individual, a business, or a trend, find a way to attach yourself to it or them. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Join someone and ride on the wave of their success. Don’t compete.
7. Exploit system gaps
Every country has loopholes – the things others ignore, services in demand, or government programs that people don’t take advantage of. Research what exists in your area and capitalize on it. Those who know how to work with the system never stay poor.
Remember, never be too politically invested. Put a {small} part of your tummy ahead of the nation because everyone does, even those who claim they don’t. Oh no! Will things ever work out for Africans?
8. Respect and study how money works
The rich don’t see money the way the poor do. Money is a tool, not a prize. Stop thinking about how to spend it and start thinking about how to multiply it. Make financial literacy your private obsession.
9. Leverage family & community ties smartly
There are free benefits you get by leveraging your nativity. By virtue of being a native in your country or village, there are things you naturally get. Take advantage of them.
In parts of Africa, a simple ID once unlocked free land. What you do with such opportunities is up to you.
10. Develop a ruthless work ethic
Most people aren’t willing to suffer to escape poverty. Work harder than everyone else. Sleep less if you have to. Outwork your competitors, be reliable, and be known as the person who gets things done. Eventually, that reputation will open doors.
Poverty isn’t just about money; it’s about mindset. The difference between rich and poor is often not intelligence but the willingness to see and do what others ignore. Stay sharp, stay strategic, and make your way out.
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