Woman in Shock After Mother Blows Sh400,000 Savings Earned in Saudi Arabia

Jane Waithera, a 33-year-old woman and mother, is still grappling with feelings of betrayal.

In a recent interview, she recounts her recent return to Kenya after a long stint in Saudi Arabia only to discover that her mother had squandered the Sh 400,000 she had entrusted to her. Jane dropped out of school in seventh grade and could not continue her education due to the abuse she endured from her stepfather.

"I am a Standard Seven dropout and could not continue with my studies due to the abuse I received from my stepfather," she begins.

In 2019, Waithera became aware of a prospect in Saudi Arabia which she pursued. She approached an agent and was successful in obtaining the job which she considered a chance for a new beginning. This change brought Waithera comfort because her mother had abandoned her after re-marrying. She entrusted her five-month-old daughter's care to her mother and travelled to the Gulf in search of a brighter future.

The initial days in Saudi Arabia posed a challenge for her, as the residence she resided in was exceedingly unclean and necessitated tidying. She proceeds to recount the difficulties she encountered in the Gulf Country. With a singular objective in her mind - to safely return to Kenya - Waithera formulated an escape strategy. Enlisting the help of a friend, they devised a plan that saw her disguising herself as a man for greater ease of navigation. However, as she made her way towards the airport, her plan was thwarted by three individuals who uncovered her true identity and promptly alerted the authorities. In order to secure her return to Kenya, she resorted to bribery.

Following her emotional setback, Waithera returned home with high hopes. She looked forward to utilizing her savings to fulfil responsibilities towards her family. But these aspirations soon turned to despair as she later learned that only Sh30,000 had remained in her bank account and not the 400,000 she had saved over a year and a half. Waithera was devastated when reality sank in, confounded by the cruel betrayal of her own mother. Although she harbours no grudges, she says that the incident damaged their bond. Now residing in Naivasha town, Waithera is in search of a stable occupation that will allow her to provide for her daughter's education and essential requirements.