Kenyan Woman Shares Her Escape from Modern-Day Slavery in the Gulf

Human trafficking remains a pressing issue in Kenya, with many young individuals, particularly women from rural areas, falling victim to exploitative schemes disguised as employment opportunities abroad.

The story of Mercy Njeru exemplifies the harsh realities faced by numerous Kenyans who are lured into challenging situations overseas. In 2013, at the age of 19, Mercy found herself in a difficult position following her mother's death. She bore the responsibility of supporting her younger brother's education and caring for her ailing father. Desperate for a solution, Mercy was introduced to the idea of working in the Middle East by a friend who had found employment in Saudi Arabia.

Unbeknownst to her, this decision would lead Mercy into a harrowing ordeal of exploitation and abuse. Her journey began with confusing travel arrangements, including misleading ticket information and document signings in Arabic. Upon arrival in Jordan, Mercy and her fellow travellers were abandoned at the airport and left without food or assistance for days. The prevalence of such trafficking cases is alarming. According to the National Crime Research Centre, external trafficking accounts for 60.2% of human trafficking cases in Kenya.

Victims are often exploited for forced labour, sexual purposes, or domestic servitude. Glory Ndaka, a representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Kenya, reports that thousands of individuals, predominantly from rural areas, fall prey to traffickers annually. The Kenyan government has taken steps to address this issue, including the establishment of a Counter Trafficking in Persons Advisory Committee and the implementation of a National Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking. However, these efforts have yet to fully curb the problem, as evidenced by the persistent cases of exploitation.

Mercy's experience in Jordan involved long working hours, physical abuse, and inadequate provision of necessities such as food and medical care. Despite these hardships, she managed to escape and return to Kenya. Now, Mercy dedicates her efforts to raising awareness about human trafficking and supporting other victims who have endured similar ordeals.