This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
With the harsh realities of the Kenyan economy, many couples are making the difficult decision to live apart, with careers dictating the terms of their relationships.
Take, for instance, politicians, salespeople, entertainers, security guards, and army officers, who often find themselves away from their families for extended periods.
Love, once a distant memory, is now facilitated by instant mobile money transfers, allowing couples to maintain a sense of connection despite the physical distance.
However, this new reality comes with its own set of challenges, as couples struggle to balance their careers and family responsibilities.
For Jacob, who recently landed a job in the USA, leaving behind his young family was a difficult decision, but one he felt necessary for his career advancement.
While technology has made it easier for couples to stay connected, frequent visits and regular communication can only partially substitute for the emotional comforts of living together.
As one female lecturer, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted, 'I would hate to be away from my husband, but in this economy, we don't have the option of turning down opportunities.'
Her husband's decision to pursue a doctorate in New Zealand was motivated by the need to secure a better job, but the couple's daughter was only four years old at the time, making a commuter marriage arrangement impossible.
Today, the couple is expecting a second child, and the husband's joblessness has taken a toll on his mental health, leading to alcohol abuse.
Similar stories abound, with couples like Sunday and his wife, who lives and works in Saudi Arabia, struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives.
As Sunday navigates the challenges of single parenthood, he faces criticism from his neighbours and in-laws, who assume he is receiving a large income from his wife abroad.
Despite the difficulties, many couples are forced to consider the economic realities of their relationships, and the sacrifices they must make to provide for their families.
