Kenyan Woman Speak Out on Saudi Mistreatment

The Gulf region has been a destination for many Kenyan workers seeking better opportunities, but for some, the experience has been marked by trauma, pain, and regret.

Velma Nerima, a 37-year-old single mother of three from Busia County, exemplifies this struggle. With an ageing mother and children to support, Velma accepted an opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia in 2021, facilitated by a local recruiter named Brenda Warimbe. Despite her mother's concerns, Velma underwent training and departed for what she hoped would be a transformative experience. Upon arrival, Velma's expectations were shattered. Instead of the promised office job, she was forced into domestic servitude and subjected to sexual abuse.

Her ordeal included being transferred between households and enduring horrific experiences that left her physically and emotionally damaged. Velma's weight plummeted, and her body bore the marks of her torment. After multiple unsuccessful escape attempts, Velma finally managed to flee with the help of a gatekeeper. Found near death, she was hospitalized and eventually deported back to Kenya. Her return was marked by severe health issues, trauma, and social isolation. Velma's mother Beatrice Barasa was shocked by her daughter's condition, describing her as unrecognizable except for her voice. The impact of these experiences extends beyond the individual survivors. Families, like Velma's, often sacrifice their resources to aid in recovery.

Beatrice sold nearly all her possessions including her last cow to support her daughter's rehabilitation. Other survivors, such as Fauzia Wanjiru, have channelled their traumatic experiences into advocacy. Fauzia established an organization called Footprint to Freedom to assist other survivors in their recovery journey. Her own path to healing was difficult, marked by emotional breakdowns and periods of isolation. Lucy Wanjiku and her sister Reina Warungaru's story further illustrates the deceptive nature of some employment opportunities in the Gulf. Despite their aspirations for better lives, they encountered abuse, exploitation, and threats to their safety.

Lucy suffered physical assaults, including being scalded with boiling water, while both sisters endured psychological torture and deprivation. These accounts highlight a pattern of mistreatment faced by some Kenyan workers abroad. Employers may withhold salaries, confiscate passports, and subject workers to inhumane conditions. In extreme cases, workers are framed for crimes, sexually assaulted, and denied basic human rights. The trauma inflicted on these individuals often persists long after their return home. Many survivors struggle with physical ailments, psychological distress, and the challenge of reintegrating into their communities.