Shiru Mapesa: Ex-Kenyan banker shares nifty money tips for Kenyans in the US

“I make good money… but it still feels like I’m one problem away from disaster.”

For many Kenyans building a new life in the United States, the shock isn’t just the winter, the paperwork or the accent — it’s the price of living without a plan.

Rent moves like a tide.

Credit can open doors or lock them shut.

One medical bill can wipe out months of hard work. And the pressure to “make it” — while still showing up for family back home — can quietly turn a dream into a financial chokehold.

Mapesa knows that world from both sides.

A former high-flying banker in Kenya, she left a successful career to pursue a life with her partner in the US. Today, she works in the lending industry and is also a financial literacy coach, helping people make smarter decisions about money — from budgeting and credit to homeownership and retirement planning.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen Digital, Mapesa says the biggest adjustment after moving abroad is not the currency — it is the thinking.

“When you move abroad, your money mindset has to change — it’s not just about how much you earn, but how you manage it,” she says.

The silent trap: lifestyle inflation

Mapesa says many immigrants start strong, then slowly lose control of their finances as spending rises to match income.

“People often fall into lifestyle inflation because they don’t plan their spending,” she says, noting that small upgrades can quietly become expensive habits.

Her advice is blunt: plan first, flex later.

Budgeting isn’t punishment — it’s protection

Mapesa pushes back against the idea that budgeting is restrictive.

“A budget isn’t restrictive — it’s the roadmap that protects your goals,” she says.

And for those who feel their money disappears without warning, she offers a line that hits home for many:

“If you don’t tell your money where to go, it’ll tell you where it went.”

A common mistake, she says, is waiting to “stabilise” before building an emergency cushion — yet life rarely waits for perfect timing.

“Emergencies don’t ask for permission — they show up whether you’re ready or not,” Mapesa says.

Her approach is practical, not intimidating.

“Start with a simple emergency fund. Even small steps build confidence,” she adds.

Mapesa acknowledges the strong pull many Kenyans feel to support family back home, but warns that remittances can become a source of stress when they are driven by impulse rather than planning.

“Sending money home is generous, but it becomes stressful without a plan,” she says.

Her message is balance, not guilt.

“Support your family and secure your future — don’t sacrifice stability for impulse remittances,” she adds.

Her message to women: take the wheel

One of Mapesa’s strongest calls is directed at women in relationships and marriages: don’t outsource family finances.

She urges women to take a leading role in household financial decisions and to push for investment planning as a couple, arguing that security must be intentional.

In her view, financial literacy is not just personal — it is generational protection.

Mapesa also urges Kenyans abroad to invest in knowledge as deliberately as they invest in assets.

“Invest in financial knowledge before you invest money,” she says.

And she cautions against chasing instant results.

“Real wealth isn’t instant — it’s built on consistent, smart decisions.”

For a growing number of Kenyans navigating the promises and pressure of life abroad, Mapesa’s message lands like a needed reset: earning in dollars is not the finish line. Planning is.