How Kenyan Maids Are Trapped in Foreign Lands

The pursuit of a better life has led many Kenyans to seek employment opportunities abroad, often at the cost of sacrificing their ancestral lands.

One such family from Kisii County sold a portion of their land to finance the journey of their daughters Eunice Magori and her sister to Turkey in March 2023. However, the promised lucrative jobs and good salaries turned out to be a mirage, as Magori found herself subjected to confiscation of her passport, forced labour without pay, and ultimately, deportation. The recruitment agent who had assured them of favourable working conditions failed to deliver on their promises. Magori's assignment involved gruelling household chores and childcare, with insufficient food and exhausting work hours taking a toll on her health.

When she voiced her dissatisfaction, the agent threatened her with deportation, a threat that was eventually carried out by contacting the authorities, leading to Magori's arrest and transfer to a deportation centre. Magori's harrowing experience is not an isolated incident as numerous other Kenyan women have fallen victim to negligent recruitment agencies and unscrupulous employers abroad. These agencies facilitate job placements but often disregard the well-being of their clients, leaving them stranded and vulnerable in foreign countries.

In Turkey, Kenyan well-wishers have taken it upon themselves to support and rescue their distressed compatriots as many women find themselves trapped in cities like Diyarbakır and Hatay wit their passports confiscated by employers. This restricts their freedom of movement and communication. The Kenyan government, through the Labour and Skills Development Department, recognizes the plight of domestic workers abroad, who are often at the mercy of their employers due to the substantial costs incurred for travel and documentation.

To address this issue, measures have been implemented through the Kenya National Employment Authority which ensures job seekers work with authorized agencies and the National Youth Enterprise Fund which provides financial assistance in the form of soft loans for those seeking employment opportunities overseas.