I Saw the Red Flags Early But Stayed Until Burnout Forced Me Out
By Perminus Wainaina
It didn’t happen all at once.
That’s the tricky thing about red flags at work especially in our Kenyan corporate setup. They rarely come as one big, obvious problem.
They come in small, excusable doses.
“Ni kawaida.”
“Every company is like this.”
“At least I have a job.”
Until one day, you look back and realize you stayed far longer than you should have.
And by then, the cost is already high.
James (not his real name) knows this reality all too well.
A mid-level manager in a Nairobi-based company, he ignored the warning signs for nearly three years — until burnout, frustration, and career stagnation pushed him into a decision he hadn’t fully prepared for.
Here’s what really happened — and what every mid to senior-level professional in Kenya should learn from it.
When did you first notice something was off?
If I’m being honest — mapema sana. But at the time, it didn’t feel serious.
There were small things:
Unclear expectations
constantly changing priorities
Management making decisions without involving us
I told myself, “This is how most companies here operate.”
So I adjusted.
What were the red flags you ignored?
Looking back, they were very clear.
- Unrealistic expectations – Targets kept increasing, but the team and resources remained the same. You’re expected to deliver miracles with very little support.
- Lack of recognition – You can push results month after month — but no feedback, no appreciation. It becomes, “That’s what we pay you for.”
- Poor communication from leadership – Decisions are made at the top, then passed down last minute. You’re expected to implement without understanding the bigger picture.
- High staff turnover – People kept leaving — good people. At the time, I thought, “Wamechoka tu.” Now I know — they saw what I refused to see.
- Constant exhaustion – I was always tired. Even after a weekend or leave, I didn’t feel rested. But I normalized it because… that’s work, right?
Why didn’t you leave earlier?
Because it didn’t feel bad enough. That’s where many professionals get stuck. It’s not toxic enough to force you out. But it’s not healthy enough to help you grow.
Also:
The salary was decent, the title looked good on my CV and I had responsibilities — rent, family, commitments.
And like many Kenyans, I kept thinking:
“In this economy, let me just hold on.” So I stayed.
What finally pushed you to the edge?
Burnout. Proper burnout.
There’s a point where your body and mind just refuse.
My performance dropped.
I lost motivation completely.
Even logging in felt like a struggle.
That’s when it hit me — I wasn’t just tired.
I had stayed too long in the wrong environment.
What did staying too long cost you?
More than I expected.
- Confidence
I started doubting myself — despite years of experience. - Clarity
I didn’t even know what kind of role I wanted anymore. - Missed opportunities
There were chances I ignored because I felt “secure.” - Health
Stress followed me home.
Sleep issues. Constant fatigue. Low energy.
That was the real wake-up call.
– How did you eventually leave?
Not strategically. I left abruptly.
No solid plan.
No structured transition.
Just the need to get out.
And yes — the relief was real at first.
But it didn’t last long.
– What happened after you left?
The first few weeks felt like freedom.
No emails. No pressure.
But then reality kicked in:
Bills are still there
Savings start reducing
Job applications are not getting responses
And then the silence… You apply and hear nothing back.
No feedback. No updates. That’s when the anxiety starts.
– Looking back, what would you have done differently?
I wouldn’t have ignored the early signs.
But more importantly, I would have prepared while still employed.
I would have:
Updated my CV mapema
Started applying while still earning
Taken short courses aligned to where I wanted to go
Gotten clarity before things got worse
Because once burnout hits, even simple decisions become difficult.
What helped you recover and move forward?
I had to become intentional.
- I got clear on what I wanted
Not just any job — the right fit. - I fixed my CV
I realized my CV was just listing duties — not impact. - I stopped applying blindly
I focused on roles that actually made sense for my experience. - I treated job searching seriously
I created structure — not guesswork.
How did it turn out?
It took a few months. But I eventually got a role that was better aligned — in terms of work, leadership, and environment.
And the difference was clear. Not perfect but healthier.
The Hard Truth Most Professionals in Kenya Avoid
You don’t leave bad jobs when they become unbearable.
You leave when you recognize early that they are not aligned —
And you prepare to move from a position of strength.
Final Advice from James
“Don’t wait until umechoka kabisa to start thinking about leaving. The signs are always there — we just ignore them.”
There is a difference between resilience and tolerance.
One grows your career.
The other slowly drains it.
The professionals who move forward are not the ones who endure the longest.
They are the ones who read the signs early —
And act before it’s too late.