Urgent concerns have emerged following a distressing social media post on social media platform X regarding a Kenyan domestic worker allegedly confined in Saudi Arabia.
The United States of Africa (USA) account recently shared a plea for assistance on behalf of Vivian Wangamati, who reported being locked in a bathroom by her employer in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The post includes crucial identifying information, including her employer’s name, Abdulkarim Allbrahim, and contact details for both her recruitment agent and herself. Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs has responded swiftly to the social media alert, confirming they have escalated the matter to the appropriate authorities.
This incident has reignited public discourse about the safety of Kenyan workers abroad, particularly in Middle Eastern nations where reports of mistreatment have become increasingly prevalent. The situation reflects a broader pattern of concerns regarding Kenyan citizens working overseas. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed troubling statistics, noting that 316 Kenyan nationals have died while employed in Gulf countries since 2002, with Saudi Arabia recording the highest mortality rate.
In response to these challenges, the Kenyan government has drafted the Labour Migration Management Bill 2021, aimed at strengthening protections for its citizens working abroad and increasing oversight of recruitment agencies. The persistent exodus of Kenyan workers to foreign nations, driven by limited domestic employment opportunities and the promise of higher wages, continues despite these risks. While the International Labour Organization has established protective standards for migrant workers, enforcement often falls short for Kenyan nationals employed overseas, particularly those in domestic service positions.
