As a Kenyan living in Muscat, Oman, I spend long days working under the desert sun. I send money home and scroll through X at night. I saw a post by Elon Musk on February 5, 2026. He is the world’s richest man worth over $800 billion. He wrote, “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about 😔.” It really made me pause.
Here is a billionaire who can afford anything, yet he admits the old saying is true. The tweet spread fast. Kenyans on Nairobi Gossip Club and KOT joked, “Send me $1M so I can understand!” Others said, “Easy to say when your account has endless zeros.” For me, far from home, it felt honest. Money has given me stability here. I earn better pay than in Nairobi. It supports my family. However, it doesn’t fill the quiet loneliness when I miss home.
We expats leave Kenya for greener pastures, higher salaries, and a chance to build more. I have done that: traded local jobs for work in Muscat. The cash helps with school fees, hospital bills, and even buying land back home. It reduces worry, yes. But happiness? That’s harder. Paid bills don’t ease missing Sunday nyama choma with relatives or the simple joy of a chama meeting.
If Elon feels this way despite his billions—facing family issues, endless work, and personal pressures—what truly brings happiness? From my life in Oman, I have learned it is the things money cannot touch. Family bonds cannot be broken by distance. Happiness comes from family time. It is a full house during Christmas. It includes debates over who makes the best ugali. Sometimes, it is just hearing my mom’s voice on a call. In Muscat, I recharge with late-night video chats or when relatives visit. Remittances help, but the real joy is knowing they are okay, not just the M-Pesa notification.
Community & the Harambee Spirit
In Kenya, we thrive on togetherness. We have chamas where women save and support each other. Neighbors rally for medical funds or funerals. I have seen it save lives. Here in Oman, the Kenyan community does the same. They have WhatsApp groups for job tips. They organize shared iftars. There are collections for someone’s ticket home. That feeling of “we are in this together” is priceless.
Faith & Inner Peace
Church on Sunday or mosque prayers bring calm no salary can match. Trusting God through slow work months or homesickness gives real hope. Many Kenyan expats say the “peace of God” beats any bank balance.
Simple Joys & Personal Growth
Good health to wake up strong. A sunset walk along Mutrah Corniche. Music or learning new skills keep me grounded. Money buys better options like travel or food, but it is temporary. True contentment comes from within.
Musk’s tweet reminds us of an important truth. We hustle hard as Kenyans with side gigs, expat jobs, and big dreams. However, chasing money alone can leave us empty. It helps pay bills and open doors, but family, community, faith, and simple moments fill the heart.
What brings you real happiness beyond money? Family gatherings? Faith? Community support? Share your stories in the comments—let’s inspire each other!