Yelsha: Why My Daughter and I Were Deported to Kenya After 10 Years in Germany

Kenyan woman Stemy Yelsha,24, was recently deported from Germany where she had resided for nearly ten years.

Yelsha, a photographer, vlogger, and makeup artist, documented her deportation from Germany to Kenya alongside her young daughter. In a collection of captivating YouTube videos, Yelsha unveils her life story to her dedicated followers, disclosing that she spent her formative years in Kenya until her mother disregarded her desires and relocated her to Germany at the age of 12. Yelsha reveals that her connection with her mother had always been distant. Throughout her tender years, her mother was often away in Europe, leaving her in the care of relatives who exposed her to distressing situations.

Upon arrival in Germany, Yelsha felt the need to depart from her mother’s household due to her toxic relationship with a German man. Eventually, she found solace being taken in and adopted by another family. Yelsha experienced a brief period of stability while living with her foster parents, but conflicts emerged as their biological children became jealous. At just 16, Yelsha was thrust into the responsibility of living on her own in her apartment. As a student, Yelsha depended on the German government for financial support, covering her rent and school expenses. However, grappling with various obstacles as a young girl, Yelsha spiralled into depression and contemplated ending her life.

Immigrants in Germany often struggle to form friendships. Living on her own only exacerbated the difficulties since her mother showed no concern for her well-being. On top of that, her foreign resident documents were set to expire, and the renewal date seemed distant. Yelsha, despite being of legal age, faced a challenging predicament as she lacked essential documentation that impeded her ability to provide for herself and legitimately meet her fundamental necessities. As a result, her landlord forced her out, exposing her to the harsh realities of homelessness.

Regrettably, the government’s assistance was lacking. However, Yelsha’s encounter with her Nigerian partner proved to be a silver lining. At the age of 20, she became pregnant and they decided to cohabit. Unfortunately, Yelsha soon discovered her partner’s deceitful and violently abusive nature. Unknown to her, he had children back in Africa. Fleeing from him, Yelsha sought refuge with his brother in another city. Meanwhile, German authorities continued to send deportation letters to her old address, oblivious to the fact that she was unable to receive them.

To extend her stay, she had no choice but to co-parent with her ex from Nigeria after being given a three-week notice to leave the country. Despite her two-year-long appeal, her attempts to overturn the deportation were in vain. Finally, on October 18th, the devoted mother of one tearfully embarked on a flight to Kenya, capturing the emotional moment in a video. Following a layover in Doha, Qatar, she and her daughter safely arrived in Nairobi. Amidst the chaos and displacement, Yelsha revealed that her mother never once made an effort to inquire about her whereabouts during her time in Germany, leading her to experience multiple breakdowns.

Now, Yelsha has resolved to accept her deportation from Germany and focus on creating a prosperous and fulfilling life for her daughter in Kenya. Yelsha has continued to denounce the scepticism surrounding her deportation narrative, insisting she made no errors leading to her departure.