“I’m at the police station”: Last Message from Missing Kenyan Worker in Saudi Arabia

A Kenyan domestic worker has gone missing in Saudi Arabia after sending a final message from a police station, prompting her family to appeal for urgent help in locating her.

Margaret Ngele, 27, travelled to Saudi Arabia in November 2022 under a two-year contract, hoping to ease her family’s financial difficulties. Despite initial concerns from her husband, Victor Omondi, she took up the position, determined to support their household.

According to Mr Omondi, Ms Ngele faced increasingly difficult working conditions, including months without pay. Matters worsened when she fled her employer’s home on 7 September, citing mistreatment and the confiscation of her travel documents. She contacted her family shortly after, sending a message at 12:10pm from a local police station. 

“I’m at the police station right now, but they haven’t helped me or even spoken to me,” she wrote. 

Her phone has remained off since. Further complicating her situation, Ms Ngele had continued working beyond her initial contract after her employer was reportedly involved in an accident. 

However, this extension was made informally, without the necessary approvals from Saudi labour authorities. Her recruitment agency has declined to assist, arguing the extension was unauthorised.

Efforts by her family to reach the Kenyan embassy in Riyadh have been unsuccessful. Mr Omondi said repeated calls to the embassy and Saudi authorities have gone unanswered or been hampered by language barriers. 

In a voice note sent before her disappearance, Ms Ngele said she had sought help from the embassy, the labour office, and the police, but received no support. Her mother, Catherine Bahati, said Ms Ngele had frequently complained about verbal abuse and unpaid work. 

“She told me her boss used to insult her and overwork her with no pay,” Ms Bahati said.

The family is urging the Kenyan government to intervene and assist in locating Ms Ngele. Her disappearance highlights ongoing concerns about the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers in the Gulf, particularly those in domestic roles. Although bilateral agreements exist to safeguard their rights, enforcement remains inconsistent, leaving many in vulnerable positions.

As the search continues, her family remains hopeful. “Every morning I pray that she is safe until she is repatriated and reunited with us,” said Ms Bahati.