COMMUNITY
Fellow Kenyan transplant Rebecca Githinji agrees with Warui’s assessment and adds Maricopa is the ideal place to raise a family. She called the city of some 70,000 a “perfect” place for kids to grow up. “My two sons, who were new immigrants back in 2018, found it easier to settle in and focus in school because of the quietness in the Maricopa city and their limited exposure to the major city hype,” Githinji said. Many other Kenyans who settled in Maricopa cited housing affordability. The community developed a local support network because so many Kenyan families are moving to Maricopa. “The Kenyan community is incredibly supportive of one another and we get together to commemorate important life events like holidays, marriages, birthdays, housewarmings, and new businesses just to name a few,” Warui said. “When one of us needs assistance, that becomes a community need.” Welcoming new Kenyan families to Maricopa’s neighborhoods is a frequent
Shirleen Warui and her husband, Samuel take a walk in the park with their daughters, Savannah and Saisha.
KENYA BY THE NUMBERS
At least 25 KENYAN FAMILIES IN MARICOPA
53.1 Million KENYA’S POPULATION
9,500 MILES TO NAIROBI
18 hours 23 minutes TRAVEL TIME FROM PHOENIX SKY HARBOR TO NAIROBI
$ 850 COST OF A ONE-WAY PLANE TICKET FROM PHX TO NAIROBI
KENYANS FAVORITES IN KENYA FOOD – The usual Kenyan favorite is ugali, a staple of the country’s cuisine. Made from white or yellow cornmeal, salt and hot water, it is served at almost every meal. Shirleen prefers chapati, a flatbread with a mild nutty flavor from whole wheat, and beef stew. SNACK – Kenyan bajias are a popular street food item of thinly sliced potatoes seasoned with turmeric, cumin,
MODE OF TRANSPORTATION - Public buses MUSIC – Folk music based on 50 regional languages. But Kenyans also listen to Zanzibaran taarab music, hip hop, reggae, soul, soukous, zouk, rock ‘n’ roll, funk and Europop. Shirleen prefers gospel or reggae. SPORT – Soccer, known as football in Kenya, takes the trophy. TEAM – National football team, the Harambee Stars
IN MARICOPA FOOD – cold beer and cheeseburgers DRINK – Oreo cookie
chili powder, garam masala, coriander, ginger, salt and black pepper. Fried until golden brown. Shirleen Warui prefers Kenyan samosas, triangular fried flour pockets with beef, peas and lots of spices. DRINK – Banana beer, sour porridge and Kenyan tea GUILTY PLEASURE - Watching trashy soap operas instead of doing home chores. Shirleen prefers a 5 p.m. nap
milkshake at Jack in the Box GUILTY PLEASURE – New York cheesecake and pineapple dole whip at Yogurt Jungle MODE OF TRANSPORTATION – Car MUSIC – Sunday morning worship at Church of the Celebration
and reading the comment section on funny videos
InMaricopa.com | December 2023
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