Over 70 Kenyans Stranded in the Middle East after Losing their Jobs [VIDEO]

Families of several Kenyans who are stranded in the Middle East have pleaded with the government to intervene and help bring them back home.

Daily Nation reports that the more than 70 Kenyans are stuck in Qatar over lack of travel documents and flight tickets after being ejected by their employers.

One of the victims, Mr Randani Mwachili paid Sh120,000 to a hiring agency in Kenya to secure employment as a cleaner in Qatar. After landing in Qatar, he discovered the agency was a traveling company ‘owned’ by Nigerians in Mombasa.

He travelled to Qatar in April 2016 and worked as a cleaner at United Cleaning Management Company but began experiencing trouble with the employer a year later.

“I was working as a house keeper, tea boy or swimming pool attendant. Payment of our salaries was our biggest issue. We were not being paid on time and, sometimes, we could work for four months without pay. So we decided to boycott duty in 2017,” Mr Mwachili said, adding that the resumed work after employer pledged to settle their wages.

“In March this year, we went on strike again. The company later terminated our contracts and evicted us from our houses. But when we went to court, the firm was ordered to allow us live in the houses until the case is heard and determined,” he said.

Their case is ongoing in court but the Kenyans say they can’t follow the proceedings due to language barrier. Arabic is the official language in Qatar.

“We are living on the streets depending on leftovers and food collected from garbage bins. But, luckily, this year Qatar Red Crescent heard our pleas and started providing us with free food. My salary was around Sh33,000. I want my over one-year salary arrears,” he added.

The employers owes them about Sh300,000 in unpaid salaries. “How can I come back home empty-handed? We want our dues and air tickets. We can’t look for jobs elsewhere because we do not have Qatar work permits. We went to the embassy, but we have not found any help,” he said.

Recruitment agencies that hired them have since shut down and owners have eloped. Ms Ruth Obimbo whose brother, Douglas Jack (34) left the country in 2013 said he’s unable to fly back to Kenya due to lack of air fare.

“He left behind his wife and two children who are suffering. The company he worked for has abandoned him a year after his arrival, the recruiting agency which was based in Likoni was shut down. I paid Sh120,000 for him to secure a job in Qatar,” Ms Obimbo.

Video Courtesy NTV: