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On January 18, Rhoda Korir, a social media influencer hailing from Bomet, Kenya, sparked significant discussion after posting a video on her Facebook page.
In her native Kalenjin dialect, Korir advised Kenyan women to reconsider pursuing employment opportunities in Gulf countries, citing high pre-departure costs that can reach up to 100,000 shillings. She argued that these funds could be better invested in starting small businesses within Kenya. Additionally, she raised concerns about the physical and sexual abuse faced by some Kenyan women working in Gulf nations, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
Korir's remarks have prompted a backlash from Kenyans currently working in the Middle East, who contend that her views are based on a limited understanding of their experiences. They highlight the positive changes that employment in the Gulf has facilitated in their lives, such as improved educational opportunities for their children, better living conditions, and new economic prospects for their families back in Kenya.
Bentine Chepketer, also known as Shebesh002, a Kenyan resident in Qatar, expresses disappointment with Korir’s comments, noting that many individuals are driven to seek work in the Gulf due to the scarcity of job opportunities domestically. A TikTok user, who goes by the name Supreme Court, criticizes her for deterring women from exploring Gulf employment opportunities, arguing that one person's experience should not discredit the options available to others.
Meanwhile, another TikTok contributor, Bernard Korir, acknowledges the vital contributions made by Kenyan women in the Gulf. One Love, another TikTok user and someone currently working in the Gulf, shares her narrative about the financial struggles that necessitated her departure from Kenya, while also addressing the issue of abuse. She emphasizes that, while tragic, such instances are not the norm and should not define the entire experience of working abroad.
The treatment of Kenyan domestic workers in Gulf countries has garnered renewed attention over the recent years, with various human rights organizations, the Kenyan government, and social commentators calling for reforms. According to a 2022 report by Kenya's Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, approximately 20% of Kenyan domestic workers in Gulf countries reported experiencing abuse, including unpaid wages, excessively long working hours, and sexual harassment.
The Kafala sponsorship system, prevalent in many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, further complicates the situation as it binds workers to their employers, limiting their ability to change jobs or leave the country without permission. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveals concerning trends, indicating that from 2019 to 2023, over 100 Kenyan workers were repatriated from Saudi Arabia due to severe abuse or labour violations.
A 2022 Amnesty International report detailed harrowing accounts of domestic workers, citing cases of forced labour, physical violence, and inadequate living conditions. Notably, one case involved a Kenyan domestic worker who was locked in her employer's home for over six months, without pay or any means of communication.