- For years, Benson Gitau’s life read like a success story, having risen from security guard to winning a green card
- He eventually ended up serving in the US Navy, where he was deployed on the frontlines in Afghanistan
- In a move that surprised many, he chose to leave it all behind after 13 years and return to Kenya, determined to rebuild a life afresh
In 2011, Benson Gitau was like many young Kenyans, driven by ambition, weighed down by limited opportunities, and determined to change his story.
Source: Youtube
Working as a security guard in Nairobi at the time, he carried a quiet but persistent dream: to build a better life abroad.
How Gitau relocated to the US
That dream took a dramatic turn when he won the US green card lottery, opening a door that millions hope for but few walk through.
For Gitau, it was more than luck; it was a chance to rewrite his future. Upon arriving in the United States, he wasted no time in pursuing stability and purpose.
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He enlisted in the US Marine Corps, a path that would test his resilience in ways he had never imagined.
His service eventually took him to Afghanistan, where he was deployed in one of the world’s most volatile conflict zones.
Why Gitau struggled in US
From the outside, Gitau’s life reflected the classic “American Dream”: steady income, structured career growth, and the prestige of military service.
But beneath that surface was a more complicated reality, one shaped by immense pressure, personal sacrifice, and the psychological toll of life in and after combat.
Like many veterans, he grappled with experiences that are rarely visible to the public eye.
The transition from civilian life in Kenya to military service in a foreign land, followed by deployment in a war zone, left lasting marks that success alone could not erase.
Source: UGC
Gitau returned home after 13 years
Over time, Gitau began to reassess what fulfilment truly meant to him. After 13 years in the US, he made a decision that surprised many who had followed his journey: he chose to return home.
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Coming back to Kenya was not a step backwards, but a deliberate move towards rebuilding his life on his own terms.
Drawing from his experiences abroad, Gitau has since ventured into real estate, focusing on helping Kenyans in the diaspora invest wisely back home.
Today, he works closely with returnees and those still living abroad, offering guidance to help them avoid common pitfalls, from fraudulent deals to poorly planned investments.
His mission is rooted in lived experience: ensuring that others can navigate the journey he once walked with greater clarity and confidence.
Kenyan nurse quits KSh 1.8m salary job in US
Gitau’s story is similar to that of Faith Mbori, who quit a lucrative job in the US and returned to Homa Bay.
Faith was earning a KSh 1.8 million salary and building what many would call a dream career, but peace remained elusive.
Behind the success story, she was silently battling overwhelming stress and anxiety that eventually forced her to quit.
Source: NgGossips
