Kenyan activist Bravin Yuri sparks debate on money vs happiness
Kenyan political scientist and mental health activist Bravin Yuri has sparked a fierce debate with his recent comments on a video shared by a US-based Kenyan expressing his exhaustion with life in America.
Yuri’s bold statement has sent ripples through social media, challenging the conventional wisdom that equates success solely with financial gain.
“People chase money so much that they forget to live,” Yuri said in response to the video. “They even forget the motivation that made them chase money in the first place.”
Yuri’s words strike a chord with many who find themselves trapped in the relentless pursuit of wealth, often at the expense of their own well-being and relationships.
He highlights a common narrative: the initial drive to provide for loved ones turns into an insatiable hunger for more, leading individuals down a path of isolation and emptiness.
“First and foremost, it’s usually about having the means to provide for the family, but then it turns into a hunger for more and more money, and that’s when people go off the rails,” Yuri explained.
“They spend less time with the family and replace the time they would spend with the family with sending the money.”
Yuri’s perspective challenges the notion that financial success is the ultimate measure of happiness.
He argues that true fulfilment comes from meaningful connections with loved ones, not material wealth. “Money alone does not buy true happiness,” he asserts. “True happiness comes from family.”
The controversial activist didn’t stop there. Yuri boldly proclaimed that despite its challenges, Kenya reigns supreme as the ultimate destination for a fulfilling life. “East or west, home is best,” he declared. “Kenya is very affordable and far better to live in than any other place on this planet.”
Yuri extolled Kenya’s virtues, citing its affordability and excellent climate as major attractions. He contrasted this with the gruelling work culture and exorbitant cost of living in other countries, including the United States.
“In other countries, people make money, but they work a lot more hours, so they have less free time,” Yuri observed. “The bills are just as high. I would never choose to be born anywhere else.”
Yuri’s provocative comments have sparked a flurry of reactions online, with some applauding his candour and others vehemently disagreeing.
Responding to the same video, comedian Eric Omondi advised the man in the video not to come to Kenya.