Kenya Emerges as a New Home for African-American Expats Seeking Roots and Freedom

Edited By: Tendai Zola

An increasing number of African Americans are choosing to leave the United States and settle permanently on the African continent — and Kenya, particularly its capital Nairobi, has become a preferred destination in this growing wave of voluntary migration, often described as a “return to roots.”

One such example is American YouTuber Auston Holleman, who traveled across several countries over nearly a decade before settling in Kenya nine months ago. “I chose Kenya because I feel safe here. People look like me — or rather, I look like them. It’s not like going to Europe or parts of Latin America where there aren’t many Black people. I believe God wants me here. I feel at home. I fit in,” he said.

This sense of belonging and perceived safety is echoed by many African-American expatriates who have long felt marginalized in the United States, where social and racial tensions remain high.

Adilah Muhammad, founder of Adilah Relocation Services, has been helping newcomers with everything from housing and health care to setting up bank accounts. She sees this trend as more than just a passing phase. “To me, this is a movement. These are people making a conscious choice for themselves. They’re not being forced — their chains are broken, they are mentally free. When they say they’re going home, they are choosing to be free. It’s a mental freedom,” she explained. “But Africa shouldn’t be the only option. We are everywhere on Earth. We are the original people, and we can choose any place and call it home.”

African-American-run businesses are multiplying in Nairobi — from travel agencies to restaurants and even farms — creating local opportunities and boosting economic and cultural exchange between communities.

According to Raphael Obonyo, a public policy expert with UN-Habitat, this trend poses challenges for the United States. “In a way, America is losing talent, resources, and the narrative that it’s the land of dreams — a place of opportunity, cohesion, and stability. This reverse migration undermines that message, and the U.S. risks a significant brain drain.”

However, for this movement to endure, African nations must offer political stability, an attractive investment climate, and transparent governance. For now, Kenya appears to meet these expectations, positioning itself as a welcoming hub for a diaspora in search of identity, peace, and possibility.