Achieng Otieno, a 35-year-old software engineer living in Seattle, USA, had always dreamed of building a modern family home in her hometown of Kisii, Kenya. As a young professional balancing a demanding tech job and raising two kids, she envisioned the house as a secure haven for her aging mother and a future retirement spot where her family could reconnect with their Gusii roots.
The Challenge
Living 14 time zones away, Achieng faced immense hurdles. She initially sent money to her brother to oversee construction, but progress stalled—months passed with excuses about rising material costs, yet photos showed little advancement. The fear of mismanagement loomed large, as relatives sometimes diverted funds for personal needs, leading to delays that stretched the project from six months to over a year. Emotional stress mounted; she worried about her mother’s safety in the old leaky house during rainy seasons, and the lack of trusted local contacts made verifying anything impossible without costly trips home.
Solution
Frustrated, Achieng discovered our errand services through a Kenyan diaspora Facebook group. She engaged us for construction supervision, material procurement, and progress monitoring. Our vetted runners visited the site weekly in Kisii, coordinating with fundis (artisans), buying cement and bricks from local suppliers, and sending real-time WhatsApp updates with photos, videos, and receipts. We also handled bill payments for utilities and paid workers directly, ensuring every shilling was accounted for transparently.
Our Impact
With our help, the house was completed in just four months—saving Achieng six months of delays and avoiding an estimated KSh 500,000 in wasted costs from overcharges. Her mother now lives comfortably in the new three-bedroom home, complete with solar power and a small garden. Achieng gained immense peace of mind, allowing her to focus on her career while nurturing family ties. “Thanks to this team, my dream home rose from the Kisii hills without me stepping foot there it’s like having eyes and hands I can trust completely,” Achieng shares. Like Achieng, you too can build your Kenyan legacy from afar contact us today to turn your vision into reality.
