Recruitment Agencies Under Fire for Neglecting Kenyan Workers Abroad

Zipporah Mumbi, a Kenyan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, was recently found in hospital after three weeks of no contact with her family.

Mumbi, 28, had informed her family that she was hospitalised before losing all communication. Her relatives in Kenya endured weeks of uncertainty, unable to obtain any information about her condition or location. 

Efforts to reach the recruitment agency responsible for her placement proved unsuccessful, highlighting serious gaps in oversight and support. Mumbi’s brother, Javan Karanja, described the ordeal as “torture,” as the family feared for her safety.

It was later confirmed that Mumbi underwent surgery and was recovering in intensive care. She explained that she had no access to her phone during this period, which contributed to the communication breakdown. 

The recruitment agency did not maintain contact with either Mumbi or her family throughout her hospitalisation. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, such as the unresolved disappearance of Esther Mariah Njeri, who travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2006 and was last heard from in 2012. 

These examples underline the precarious conditions many Kenyans face when working abroad. Although Kenya’s National Employment Authority publishes lists of accredited recruitment agencies, unlicensed operators continue to exploit workers. 

Many agencies fail to monitor workers after deployment, leaving them vulnerable to neglect and mistreatment. Weak enforcement of labour protections in host countries further compounds these risks.

The lack of effective oversight affects not only the wellbeing of migrant workers but also the confidence in Kenya’s labour migration system. Remittances from abroad form a significant part of the country’s economy, making the protection of workers a national priority.