A Nairobi woman has cautioned Kenyans against handing physical cash to relatives in the village, claiming some people could use the money for rituals. Instead, she has proposed an alternative way of helping family members without giving them direct access to money.
Irene Nanjala shared the advice in a video posted on Facebook, where she questioned the practice of giving relatives cash whenever they requested financial assistance.
Why giving cash is risky
According to Nanjala, people should be careful about whom they trust with their money, even when dealing with members of their own families.
“Even if it is a relative, don’t trust him or her blindly,” she warned. “Those are the same people who will finish you.”
Her remarks appeared to challenge the assumption that family relationships automatically guarantee trustworthiness, particularly when money is involved.
Rather than refusing to assist relatives, Nanjala suggested that Kenyans should change how they offer financial support.
How Nanjala wants Kenyans to help relatives
She advised those receiving requests for assistance to accompany the individuals to a shop and allow them to select whatever items they need.
The individual offering help can then settle the bill directly with the shopkeeper instead of handing over cash.
In her view, this arrangement ensures that the money goes towards the intended purpose and prevents the recipient from having direct control over it.
Her advice offers an alternative for people who want to support relatives back home but are uncomfortable giving out money without knowing how it will be spent.
Kenyans debate beliefs about money and village rituals
Nanjala’s remarks touch on longstanding beliefs in some Kenyan communities surrounding money, traditional practices and witchcraft.
Nanjala’s advice raises another question about how people can balance family responsibilities with personal financial boundaries.
While her claims about money being used in rituals remain her personal beliefs and are not facts, her suggested approach of paying directly for goods and services provides a practical way to ensure assistance reaches its intended purpose.
Ultimately, her message is that helping family members does not necessarily mean handing them cash.
