How I Missed Out on Generational Wealth - The Story of Money & My Grandfather

One of my favourite pastimes is hearing stories from people who have seen more days than I have, especially about the olden days. Luckily for me, I come from a family of storytellers and if my great-grandmother isn’t telling me a tale, then my father is.

Like every person, I often think of how life would have been if I had come from generational wealth. And I do not mean the 10 acres of land my grandfather left his 8 kids but more like 100 acres for each offspring. Or in the Kenyattas or Koinange’s kind of generational wealth.

Today, as I sit with my grandmother, she tells me how we missed out on that kind of wealth. It’s the story of how my grandfather, a man who once had the world in his hands, lost it all to politics.

My grandfather was part of the Mau Mau, and when he emerged from the forests, he and other freedom fighters were awarded land in Meru—some of which our family still holds. He became a Youth Leader in Meru and built a life from the ground up, amassing wealth and influence. 

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Unexpected Loss

In those days, he was one of the first Africans to own a car.  But his ambitions didn’t stop there. Like others, he set his sights on politics, believing it would take him even further. He decided to run for Member of Parliament, thinking he could bring development to his people and secure his place in the upper ranks of society.

In his campaign, he poured in everything he had. People assured him of their votes, sang his praises, and pledged their support. He spent freely, convinced that a successful campaign would be an investment in his future—and ours. But elections are a gamble, and sometimes, promises don’t translate into votes. My grandfather lost.

The loss was more than political; it was personal and financial. To fund his campaign, he had taken on debts and sold off pieces of his land. When he didn’t win, there was no way to recover what he’d spent. Soon, piece by piece, the land he had fought for and built up was claimed by lenders. Today, we pass by prime plots that my father says used to be ours—that now belong to someone else.

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When It Rains…It Pours

My grandfather never recovered from this loss. The debt, the humiliation, and the sense of failure weighed on him, a constant reminder of dreams that had slipped away. He grew quieter, burdened by a sense of helplessness that even my grandmother, his closest confidante, couldn’t lift. 

Over time, the stress began to affect his health. What began as sleepless nights eventually turned into a more serious illness, one that saw him in and out of hospitals in his sunset years. 

As his health declined, so did what remained of the wealth he’d tried to preserve. Hospital bills began piling up, and without a stable income, my grandparents had little left to fall back on. With most of the land gone and debts lingering, what was left barely supported the family. The wealth he had once worked so hard to build was all but gone. All but the 10 acres that held his home.

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The Lessons I Picked

Sitting with my grandmother, I can see how much of a burden it was for her, too. The man who had once been strong and full of dreams became a shadow of himself, and all because he chased an illusion of success that came at a devastating cost. Hearing her story, I understand that generational wealth isn’t just about what you inherit; it’s about knowing when to protect what you have and not letting ambition blind you to the risks.

Generational wealth is more than just acres of land or material possessions; it’s the stability, security, and foresight to make decisions that benefit those who come after you. True wealth doesn’t vanish when life throws its hardest blows. It’s a foundation that endures, built on choices that could one day impact those who come after you. If my grandfather had understood this, perhaps our family’s story would be different.