I Own a Ksh5M Retirement Home, and That Is My Biggest Regret

For most of my working life, I had one dream, and that was to retire in my village.

I worked as an agricultural officer in Nakuru for over three decades, and every time retirement crossed my mind, I pictured myself back home in Sakwa, Siaya County. I imagined peaceful mornings, fresh air, my grandchildren running around the compound, and evenings spent telling stories under the shade of trees.

That dream shaped almost every financial decision I made.

At one point, I considered buying land in growing towns like Luanda or Maseno and building there. It seemed like the smarter investment because the property could one day be rented or sold if circumstances changed.

But my heart kept pulling me home. Our ancestral land, where I had already built a two-bedroom house, was available, and I felt that was where I truly belonged.

In 2018, four years before retirement, I brought down the existing house and started building a bigger and more modern house.

I wasn't in a hurry. Every year, I would use part of my savings to add another section of the house. First the foundation, then the walls, then the roofing, followed by the interior finishes.

By the time I retired, I had built a five-bedroom house worth about Ksh5 million. I had also landscaped the compound, planted trees, paved sections of the compound, and built exactly the retirement home I had dreamed about.

Also Read: Why Some Kenyans Retire With Millions and Run Broke Shortly After

It felt like the perfect reward after years of hard work.

Then reality arrived.

After the excitement of retirement faded, I realised the house was far bigger than the life my wife and I were actually living.

Most days, only two bedrooms were in use. The other rooms remained locked for months at a time.

I had imagined grandchildren filling every corner of the house during school holidays. Instead, the house was mostly quiet.

One of my sons relocated to Australia with his family shortly before I retired. Visits became rare because travelling back to Kenya was expensive and difficult to organise every year.

My other son joined the military. His work meant he rarely came home, even during holidays.

The three grandchildren in Kenya often divided their time between their other grandparents and us. At times, they stayed in Nairobi for the Christmas festivities.

The reality was painful.

The house I had built for a big family was occupied by only my wife and me for most of the year.

As time went by, another thought started bothering me.

Also Read: How to Determine How Much You Need to Retire Comfortably

Had I made the right financial decision?

Sometimes I imagine what would have happened if I had built a smaller three-bedroom house instead.

The money I spent on extra rooms, expensive finishes and landscaping could have funded a serious agricultural project apart from the poultry farming that is sustaining us.

With my background in agriculture, I could have established a commercial orchard, dairy unit or greenhouse that would now be generating income throughout retirement.

Instead, much of my wealth sits in walls that produce nothing.

The house sits on our ancestral land; therefore, I cannot sell it or lease it to someone.

Renting it out also makes little sense. Unlike towns, there is very little demand for large rental houses in the village.

People have also asked why I don't turn it into an Airbnb. The truth is that our village does not receive enough visitors to sustain such a business.

The house is valuable, but it is not productive. Looking back, I realise I planned where I wanted to retire, but not how I wanted to spend retirement.

I focused so much on building a dream home that I forgot to invest just as intentionally in a life that would keep me engaged, socially connected and financially active.

I still love my home.

I enjoy the fresh air, the quiet mornings and the satisfaction of knowing I fulfilled a lifelong dream.

But if I had another chance, I would build a smaller house and invest the rest of the money into something that generated income and kept me busy.

Retirement taught me that a dream home is important, but it cannot replace purpose, companionship or financial freedom.