Sonko Rescues Kenyan Woman Paralyzed After Torture by Employer in Saudi Arabia

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has come to the rescue of a Kenyan woman who was stuck in Saudi Arabia for months after being subjected to torture by her employer.

Faith Njeri Ngugi, who went to the Gulf state in search of greener pastures and served as a domestic worker, suffered severe torture that led to her paralysis before her employment contract was terminated. 

She was stuck in Saudi Arabia for five months until Sonko came to her aid after her case was brought to his attention by a Good Samaritan.

“After her case was brought to me by a good Samaritan, I offered to pay for her air ticket to airlift her back to Nairobi and also take care of her medical costs locally and ensure she recovers as we plan to secure for her a job,” Sonko said.

Njeri, a 28-year-old mother of one from Kiambu County, landed in the country on Thursday in a wheelchair after Sonko paid for her flight ticket and she was immediately admitted to a Nairobi hospital for treatment.

“This evening I have visited Faith Njeri in Hospital and am happy with the progress she has made,” Sonko tweeted.

Njeri’s story comes at a time when the government is facing mounting pressure from all quarters to ban the export of Kenyan domestic workers to the Middle East following numerous cases of mistreatment and even deaths of young girls.

On Tuesday, female MPs called for a total ban on the deployment of Kenyan domestic workers to the Middle East until the government guarantees their safety and negotiates better terms for them.

Through the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa), the MPs said it is regrettable that young Kenyan girls who travel to Gulf countries in search of greener pastures are subjected to ill-treatment while others return home in coffins.