How Diaspora Kenyans Lose Money When Building Back at Home. A few weeks ago, I received a call that truly opened my eyes. It revealed the depth of the suffering that our brothers and sisters in the diaspora endure. They face many challenges when building homes back in Kenya. It was one of the many calls I have received over the years while in the construction industry. The call was from Mr. Kalani, a Kenyan living in the USA. He was frustrated, disappointed, and emotionally exhausted. His dream retirement home in Makueni had turned into a nightmare. He reached out to us at Gypsum Ceiling Supplies as a last attempt to salvage it.

He told me, “Muzembi, I sent them proper drawings—both 2D and 3D. I had a vision. I knew exactly what I wanted. But what I found back home broke my heart.”

He couldn’t believe the outcome!

When he finally flew in to inspect the project, the house was already roofed. But nothing looked right.
Rooms were cramped, the proportions were off, and the entire layout looked nothing like the beautiful design he had planned. The structure felt rushed, unprofessional, and completely disconnected from his dream.

What hurt him most was that this was supposed to be his retirement home. It was meant to be a place of peace after decades of hard work abroad.

His uncle could see the pain in his eyes. He advised him to stop relying on random local fundis. Instead, he should look for a professional company to handle the interiors. That is how he landed on our website and social media pages.

When he called me, he said something that stayed with me:

I don’t want to demolish the house. I just want to make it better… if that is still possible.

We visited the site. We assessed the mess. The structure couldn’t be reversed. However, we knew we could still recreate dignity and comfort. This would be achieved through modern ceilings and interior design.

Today, I’m happy to say we have completed the ceilings. The transformation is unbelievable. Mr. Kalani is happy again—smiling, relieved, and hopeful. Other interior fit-outs are ongoing, but one thing he told me is:

This is a mistake I will never repeat again.

His story represents thousands of diaspora Kenyans who lose money, time, and peace because of poor construction management back home.

Below are 10 common mistakes diaspora homeowners make—and how to avoid them.

10 Mistakes Diaspora Kenyans Make When Building Back Home (And How to Avoid Them)

1. Trusting Unqualified Fundis Without Verification

Most diaspora homeowners rely on relatives or random fundis without checking their experience or portfolio.

Solution:

Hire licensed contractors, visit their website, check reviews, demand a portfolio, and verify previous work. Professional companies save you money, not the opposite.

2. Building Without a Project Manager

Kalani trusted fundis to follow drawings, but they changed measurements as they wished.

Solution:

Appoint a qualified project manager or architect to supervise the work daily. Remote monitoring tools like WhatsApp video, CCTV, or BuildZoom-style apps also help.

3. Sending Money in Bits Without a Clear Budget

Diaspora Kenyans often send money in small amounts, leading to shortcuts and substandard materials as fundis “manage” the funds.

Solution:

Create a full bill of quantities (BOQ), set milestones, and make payments based on verified progress—not emotions.

4. Using Cheap or Wrong Building Materials

To “save money,” fundis use low-quality timber, weak cement mixes, or cheap finishes. Kalani’s ceiling joists were uneven and poorly aligned.

Solution:

Source materials from reputable suppliers. Insist on brands you can verify. Use invoices to track what was bought.

5. No Site Visits Until It’s Too Late

Kalani came home when the house was already roofed—and the mistakes were already permanent.

Solution:

Make surprise virtual visits, ask for weekly progress videos, or hire a local supervisor who reports professionally.

6. Relying Only on Relatives

Relatives may mean well, but many lack the technical know-how. Some even abandon the project along the way.

Solution:

Let relatives support you emotionally, not professionally. Construction should be handled by experts.

7. Building Without a Contract

Fundis start projects without papers. When things go wrong, there is nothing legally binding.

Solution:

Have a written contract with timelines, penalties, quality standards, and termination clauses.

8. Ignoring the Importance of Interior Design

Many diaspora-built homes look good outside but have poor interiors due to lack of planning.

Kalani’s house was poorly partitioned, resulting in cramped rooms—but interior design saved it.

Solution:

Involve an interior designer before roofing. They help align spaces—lighting, ceilings, wall finishes, and layout.

9. No Snagging or Quality Inspection

Most diaspora clients assume the house is fine as long as photos look okay. But those photos hide a lot.

Solution:

Hire a professional inspector before roofing, before plastering, before ceilings, and before finishing.

10. Starting Without a Vision or Reference Photos

Kalani had a clear vision, but many others trust fundis to “design the house as they build.” Big mistake.

Solution:

Have:

• Floor plans
• 3D renders
• Mood boards
• Lighting plans
• Ceiling designs
  These guide the entire project.

Final Thoughts

Mr. Kalani’s story is not unique. Thousands of diaspora Kenyans are losing millions because of poor planning, misplaced trust, and lack of professional supervision. The good news is that these mistakes can be avoided.

As a contractor, I’ve seen both the joy of a well-built home and the pain of a ruined dream. But with the right team, even a damaged project—like Kalani’s—can still be redeemed through proper interior design and professional workmanship.

If you’re in the diaspora and planning to build back home, don’t repeat these mistakes.
Your retirement home, your family home, your investment—deserves better.

Why Gypsum Ceiling Supplies?

Gypsum Ceiling Supplies offers a range of products. These include gypsum board systems for gypsum ceilings and drywall partitions. We also provide acoustical ceiling tiles made of gypsum, mineral fibre, metal, and glass wool. Additionally, we offer gypsum plastering solutions and general interior products. Our systems are complemented with a strong range of metal framing, accessories, and jointing & finishing products