Black Tax; Stories from Africa.

Financially Fit Africa interviewed 2 Kenyans on black tax. They shared their real-life experiences on directly benefitting from the community and now in the sandwich generation, what they are doing to ensure the next generation achieves financial freedom.

Humphrey Warogi- Actuarist , 31.

“I hail from a family of 5 boys, my father passed away when I was only 12. Back then, women were to stay at home and let men do all the providing. My mother is from a deeply patriarchal system and she obliged. When my father died, uncles from my maternal side took over. I was sent to live with my uncle who took up the responsibility of paying my school fees, buying my clothes, and ensuring I had the basic needs. I loved my uncle, he inspired me to be better. Recently, I changed my surname from my biological father’s to his. [I am who I am] today because he believed in me, he made sure I never lacked. He took it upon himself to educate my 3 little brothers too and looking back at it now, that was indeed a lifelong investment.

“After his death in 2009, I realized how he had invested in his family. Being the second born in a polygamous family set up, he had 28 siblings. Some deliberately chose not to finish schooling, therefore, depending on those who had alienated themselves from poverty through education. A very generous man he was, he took care of all of them. He would often come home bearing gifts and food that would be distributed equally among the two families. He did this effortlessly and honestly. I think my uncles took advantage of his generosity by never taking up jobs or try to even cater for themselves. Everyone got comfortable and thought he would be immortal. His brothers went to an extent of marrying without knowing how they would sustain their wives, let alone children!

“I am now the able one in my family, the burden is on me. My relatives show up at my doorstep without prior notice, it is one problem after the other. My wife wonders why I cannot say no to these endless demands, what she does not know is I am a direct beneficiary of the goodwill of one of their brothers and as the law of reciprocity demands I have to give back. With one child now, it is becoming difficult to entertain all of these. I get calls on my nieces and nephews’ school fee arrears that I have to clear. I did this for a while until I decided to speak up. My mother confronted all my jobless uncles on my behalf, since then I have fewer guests in my house; they call before they show up and I have learned to say no when I truly don’t have the financial muscle to foot every other person’s bills.

“I am intentionally choosing to meet my needs first, my extended family can wait. My child should not bear the burden of financing my wants when I am old, this is by putting sustainable systems that in case of my demise she may not turn to my relatives for help. I have invested in an education and savings fund for her so by the time she gets to 18 years, she needs not start from scratch. I learned this from my uncle who ensured wealth was passed down from his generation to his children’s. He put aside funds for their education, as we speak all his children to his children’s. He put aside funds for their education, as we speak all his children have graduated from tertiary institutions.

“We have to invest in the next generation if we want to break the black tax chain of dependence.”

ISCA ABWAO( 37 years, preferred anonymity)

“At 37, I have 11 extended family members fully dependent on me. I have built my little brother a house, an aunt a house and now I’m building mine; its all about proper planning. I am a child of the community, they contributed to see me through school. Why would I not help them when the need arises?

“You cannot sustain all these through your salary, you have to have different sources of income to stay afloat. My aunt used to visit me in school, we lived in abject poverty but she’d sacrifice her time and little resources to come visit me; when I visited her 2 years ago her house had cracks and was in shambles. I decided to give back because I am able to.

“I get calls from relatives weekly demanding aid, you really cannot say no when you can be of help.”

“Good thing is I have enough and I will still be of help to those in need especially.”