US Couple Abandons KSh129 Million Business Empire for Nairobi, Then Faces Costly Setback

An American couple who relocated to Nairobi in search of new business opportunities and a community that shared their ambitions have revealed the challenges of starting afresh in Kenya after losing a business in the United States that generated nearly KSh129 million annually.

Veronica and Okino Oakley moved from Virginia to Kenya with their two sons, Amari and Xavier, on November 24, 2025. Their decision followed approximately three years of researching potential destinations before settling on Nairobi as the place where they hoped to build their future.

The couple had established several businesses in the US before making the move. However, leaving their operations behind proved more difficult than expected, with one of their companies shutting down within five months of their relocation.

Despite the setback, the Oakleys have continued pursuing their ambitions in Kenya, establishing new ventures and working with small businesses in Nairobi.

The family considered Nairobi and Johannesburg in South Africa before deciding to settle in the Kenyan capital.

According to their account, Nairobi stood out because of its business opportunities, skilled workforce and vibrant cultural environment. They believed the city offered the right conditions to establish new ventures while building connections with people who shared their professional goals.

Their decision followed years of research rather than a spontaneous move. The couple wanted to understand their options before uprooting their family and relocating to another continent.

The journey, however, required a considerable financial commitment. Their air tickets reportedly cost between $3,000 and $4,000, equivalent to approximately KSh390,000 to KSh520,000 at an exchange rate of KSh130 per dollar, excluding the additional expenses of shipping their belongings.

Moving to Kenya was therefore not simply a change of residence. It also meant reorganising their businesses, adjusting to a different market and establishing a new professional network.

Before leaving Virginia, the Oakleys had built several business interests, including a construction company involved in residential and commercial projects.

They left one of their businesses under the supervision of other people as they concentrated on their relocation to Kenya. However, the arrangement did not work out as they had hoped.

Within five months, the business had shut down.

The couple attributed the collapse to poor management, making the loss one of the most painful experiences of their entrepreneurial journey.

The closure was particularly significant given the company’s reported annual revenue of nearly $1 million, equivalent to approximately KSh129 million.

The figure represents the business’s reported yearly revenue, not necessarily the owners’ personal earnings or profits.

For entrepreneurs who had invested time and resources in establishing their operations, losing a business of that scale was a major setback.

Nevertheless, the Oakleys did not abandon their plans for Nairobi. Instead, they continued developing their business interests in Kenya, even as they dealt with the consequences of the closure in the US.

Five Businesses and New Opportunities in Nairobi

Since settling in Kenya, Veronica and Okino have established approximately five companies operating in different sectors.

Their interests include artificial intelligence, technology, marketing, media production and virtual assistance.

The businesses reflect an effort to diversify their income sources rather than depend on a single venture. The couple are also working with between 10 and 12 small businesses in Nairobi, creating opportunities to establish partnerships and understand the local market.

Their search for employees and potential business partners has involved interviewing approximately 100 people.

The interviews suggest that identifying suitable talent and building reliable working relationships are important parts of their strategy as they develop their companies.

For the Oakleys, Nairobi is not merely a place to live. It is also the market in which they hope to rebuild their professional lives after losing an established business in America.

Their experience illustrates the opportunities and risks that entrepreneurs can encounter when transferring their ambitions from one country to another.

Although Kenya offers access to a growing pool of skilled workers and businesses seeking services, success still depends on effective management, reliable partnerships and the ability to adapt to local conditions.

Away from their business activities, the Oakleys have settled into a furnished three-bedroom home in Nairobi.

The property reportedly costs approximately $1,800 per month, equivalent to about KSh234,000 at an exchange rate of KSh130 to the dollar.

The house comes with amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, private parking and a movie theatre.

Because the home was already furnished, the family did not have to spend additional money purchasing all the household items they would have needed after arriving in Kenya.

However, the couple acknowledge that Nairobi offers a wide range of housing options at different prices.

According to Okino, some rental properties are available for approximately $450 per month, or about KSh58,500, depending on the neighbourhood and the type of accommodation.

This difference highlights the wide range of housing costs within the capital, where the amount a household spends on rent depends heavily on its preferred location, property size and amenities.

The family’s principal monthly expenses include rent, school fees for their two sons and utility bills.

The couple reported a recent water bill of approximately $21, equivalent to KSh2,730, while their electricity bill came to about $107, or KSh13,910.

These figures provide a glimpse into their household expenses, although they should not be taken as a general estimate of the cost of living for every family in Nairobi.

For Veronica, relocating to Kenya was not solely about finding a more profitable business environment.

She explained that the couple also wanted to live in a community where they felt they could connect with people who shared their values and ambitions.

That desire was an important consideration in their decision to leave the US.

Their experience also demonstrates that relocating to another country does not automatically make life easier. Starting over can involve financial risks, professional uncertainty and the challenge of rebuilding relationships from scratch.

The Oakleys have acknowledged that their new life has demanded more work than they initially anticipated. They say they now put in longer hours than they did while living in Virginia.

Their experience has therefore involved both the promise of new opportunities and the reality of setbacks that can accompany a major life change.

Rather than returning to their former environment after the American business collapsed, the couple have continued investing their time and energy in their Nairobi ventures.

The Oakleys’ journey highlights an important distinction between having an established business and starting over in a new market.

In the US, the couple had already developed businesses and established operations. In Kenya, they have had to create new companies, identify employees and develop professional relationships while adjusting to a different environment.

Their experience also underlines the importance of having reliable management structures when business owners cannot directly supervise their operations.

Although the closure of their American business was a significant setback, their ongoing work in Nairobi shows that they remain committed to their decision.

The couple are optimistic that Kenya will provide the business connections, professional opportunities and sense of community they were seeking when they left Virginia.

For now, their focus remains on growing their companies, working with other businesses and creating a new future for their family in Nairobi.

Their story offers a reminder that moving abroad or returning to Africa to pursue business ambitions does not guarantee immediate success. Even entrepreneurs with established companies can experience losses, and rebuilding often requires patience, hard work and the willingness to adapt.

For the Oakleys, the decision to settle in Kenya has brought both disappointment and new possibilities. Despite losing a business that reportedly generated nearly KSh129 million annually, they are pressing ahead with their plans to establish themselves in Nairobi.

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