Immanuel Ndungu explains why he left the UK for Kenya

Kenyan news anchor and reporter, Immanuel Ndungu, has opened up about his decision to leave the United Kingdom and relocate to Kenya, saying the move gave him a chance to explore opportunities he felt were limited abroad.

In a video shared on his Instagram page on Sunday, July 6, 2026, Ndungu reflected on growing up in the UK and why he felt ready to begin a different chapter in Kenya.

He said he understood life in the UK well because he had spent his entire life there. However, he reached a point where he wanted a new environment and a chance to pursue more possibilities.

“Having spent my whole life in the UK, I knew what it had to offer, and I wanted more, so I took a perhaps unusual plunge to relocate to Africa,” he said.

Ndungu described moving to Kenya as one of the most important choices he has made, adding that he has not looked back since making the change. “It was by far the best decision I have ever made,” he added.

Looking for new opportunities

The journalist said Kenya gave him room to use his skills in areas that are still growing. According to Ndungu, several industries in the country are yet to fully develop, creating space for people with different ideas, experience and talent.

He said this has allowed him to look at work and business from a different point of view compared to his life in the UK.

“Coming to Kenya brought different opportunities because there are a lot of industries that are not fully developed here,” he said.

“There is a lot of space where you can bring in your skills and get an opportunity to do something more,” he added.

Ndungu said he believes Kenya has potential for people who are ready to identify gaps and work towards building solutions.

Comparing life abroad and in Kenya

While speaking about his experience abroad, Ndungu said life in Western countries can sometimes feel demanding and repetitive.

He said the strict routine and weather in places such as the UK and the United States can affect how people experience everyday life. “Life in the US is very strict and life is so repetitive and gloomy. You know, we have summer here 24/7,” he said.

His comments highlighted the appeal of Kenya’s warmer weather and a lifestyle he believes offers a different pace from what he experienced overseas.

Kenya has challenges, too

Ndungu acknowledged that Kenya has its own problems, but said no country is free from difficulties.

He said people often speak about Kenya’s challenges, but similar concerns exist in other parts of the world, although they may appear in different forms. “I do accept that, of course, Kenya has its problems which we talk about all the time, but so does every other country,” he said.

“Every place has its own problems. They will be very different. All that needs to be done is to try to make Kenya work,” he added.