- Daniel Wanyeki found himself in the precarious situation of living in the streets after he landed in Toronto, Canada and found the shelters were full
- He moved to the city of Hamilton, where one-fifth of beds in shelters were filled by refugees
- Asylum seekers seeking opportunities in Canada find challenges in securing jobs, housing, and support services in Toronto
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When most Kenyans think of moving to foreign lands like US, Canada, and UK, they expect to get a good job and house almost immediately after they land.
Wanyeki moves from Toronto to Hamilton
However, that is not always the case, as Daniel Wanyeki came to learn. According to the 33-year-old, he spent two days sleeping outside when he first arrived in Toronto in June as the shelters were full.
"Someone suggested that in Hamilton, there might be some space, and that's why we moved to Hamilton. Hamilton is quite a good town," he said.
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CBC News reports he is now living at the Salvation Army, one of the shelters hosting many refugees and asylum seekers needing a place to stay.
One-fifth of shelter beds in Hamilton are filled by refugees and asylum seekers, prompting Mayor Andrea Horwath to say the system is at "risk of collapse".
Toronto systems are overwhelmed
Bedminster said many asylum seekers first arrive in Toronto- where the shelter systems are overwhelmed, and an average of 273 people were turned away every night in June - and then move to Hamilton.
The newcomers think there "may be additional supports here, and there are shelters, except that isn't the case — our shelter system is already at its capacity," said a Bedminster representative.
Back in Kenya, Wanyeki worked as a banker after getting his degree in tourism management. He is now working on getting his Ontario driver's licence and hopes to work as a truck driver - a field experiencing a labour shortage.
Family of four deported from Canada
On July 26, a family that travelled to Canada on a visit visa was sent packing immediately after they touched down at the airport.
The family comprised a man, his wife and their children, whom the security officials deported on arrival.
The story of the family was told on TikTok, where it attracted many comments from people who sympathised with them.
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