Modern Slavery Uncovered: Kenyan Women Share Harrowing Experiences in Saudi Arabia
A shocking report by Amnesty International has shed light on the distressing experiences of over 70 Kenyan women who worked as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. The report, launched in Mombasa, Kenya, reveals a disturbing pattern of exploitation, with women being deceived by recruitment agents, denied rest days, and forced to work under inhumane conditions with little or no pay.
Bigeni Maina Mwangi, one of the women who shared her story, was promised a job as a beautician in Saudi Arabia, but upon arrival, she found herself trapped in a life of domestic servitude. "The contract I signed in Nairobi was changed the moment I landed," she recounted. "The agent said I had no choice but to work." Mwangi worked for 17 months without pay, and when she was finally sent home, her promised wages never materialized. Her experience is a stark example of the exploitation faced by many Kenyan women in Saudi Arabia.
Another woman, Mejuma Shaban Ali, described her experience as "a prison." She signed a contract at Kenya’s main airport before flying out in 2014, only to find herself forced to escape her employer’s house disguised as taking out trash. Ali’s story highlights the desperation and vulnerability of these women, who are often left with no choice but to work illegally, with their passports still held by their employers.
The Amnesty report urges the Kenyan and Saudi governments to take immediate action to protect domestic workers, including extending labor protections, prosecuting abusive employers, and banning recruitment agencies complicit in exploitation. The rights group estimates that over 150,000 Kenyans work as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, with many more likely to be victims of similar exploitation.
Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton described the system as "modern slavery," emphasizing the need for urgent reform. The Kenyan government has taken steps to crack down on exploitative recruitment agencies and protect its citizens abroad, but more needs to be done to address this systemic issue.
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the plight of migrant workers, it is imperative that governments and international organizations take concrete actions to prevent such exploitation. The stories of Bigeni Maina Mwangi and Mejuma Shaban Ali serve as a stark reminder of the need for stronger protections and support for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and beyond.