- A Kenyan woman has lifted the lid on the hidden emotional and social crisis affecting some migrants living in Dubai and other Gulf countries
- Behind the glamorous photos and flashy lifestyle, she says many are battling addiction, loneliness and hopelessness in silence
- She also spoke about the emotional toll of migration, where some lose touch with Kenya and no longer wish to return, despite struggling abroad
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A Kenyan woman has sparked debate online after sharing a raw and emotional account of what she describes as the darker side of life for some migrant workers living in Dubai and other Gulf countries.
Source: Getty Images
In a candid social media post, Joyce Musomba painted a troubling picture of addiction, loneliness and emotional burnout among sections of the Kenyan diaspora.
She warned young people against being swept into destructive social circles while abroad, describing an environment where alcohol abuse, drugs and transactional relationships are normalised within some groups.
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According to Joyce, many migrants arrive in the Gulf with high hopes of transforming their lives financially, only to find themselves trapped in unhealthy lifestyles fuelled by pressure and the need to escape emotional pain.
She claimed that some individuals spend years drifting from one casual job to another after losing stable employment due to excessive partying and substance abuse.
While Dubai is widely seen as a city of opportunity and luxury, she suggested that many struggling migrants live a very different reality behind the glamorous social media images.
“Some drink alcohol and just cry,” she wrote. “It’s so sad to watch someone give up on themselves like that.”
Joyce also spoke about the emotional toll of migration, saying some Kenyans abroad become so disconnected from home that they no longer wish to return to Kenya, despite difficult living conditions overseas.
“Most of these people are deeply hopeless,” she observed. “Some would rather survive missiles than imagine coming back home to restart life.”
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Her comments touched on the intense social culture she says exists among some groups in Dubai, where parties and gatherings happen almost daily, often exposing vulnerable people to alcohol, drugs and peer pressure.
At the same time, she stressed that not everyone living in the Gulf leads such a life, noting that many Kenyans are hardworking professionals focused on building careers and supporting families back home.
However, her message was ultimately a cautionary one: the type of friends immigrants keep abroad can shape either their success or their downfall.
“The people around you can either help you build your future or slowly destroy your life while making it look fun,” she warned.
Kenyan man rescued from Dubai streets
Her remarks come days after several cases of Kenyan men who are stranded or homeless in Dubai went viral on social media.
One of them is Brian Kipkoech, whose heartbreaking photos captured national attention after he was found living on the streets of Jebel Ali in a visibly distressed and disoriented condition.
There was a sigh of relief after the Kericho man was finally returned home safely after being rescued and repatriated by well-wishers.
Source: GossipsNG
