Multiple testimonies reveal a troubling pattern of exploitation faced by Kenyan maids abroad, highlighting the dual abuse from employers and embassy representatives who impose sexual demands during vulnerable moments.
Exploitation in the Shadows: Kenyan Maids Face Abuse and Diplomats' Demands Abroad
Exploitation in the Shadows: Kenyan Maids Face Abuse and Diplomats' Demands Abroad
Kenyan women seeking refuge from abuse in Saudi Arabia recount alarming experiences of sexual demands from embassy officials.
In a distressing report detailing the plight of Kenyan maids working in Saudi Arabia, many women have recounted harrowing experiences of abuse—not only from their employers but also from officials at their own embassy. One case in particular centers around Selestine Kemoli, who fled to the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh seeking assistance after enduring severe mistreatment as a maid. According to her account, after disclosing the brutal abuse she suffered—including physical assault and sexual violence—the labor attaché, Robinson Juma Twanga, allegedly suggested a disturbing condition for her to receive help: sex.
Kemoli's story, sadly, is not an isolated incident. Reports gathered by various lawyers suggest that numerous women reported similar experiences with Twanga and other embassy officials who exploited their dire situations for personal gain. These women described embassies, which should serve as a sanctuary, as sites of further indignity and manipulation. In some instances, female workers were pressured into either providing sexual favors or engaging in sex work to afford flights back home to Kenya.
The accounts of these women highlight a grave systemic issue: a deep-seated culture of exploitation where the most vulnerable individuals—including migrant workers seeking refuge and assistance—are further victimized by the very systems meant to protect them. As these revelations come to light, they cast a shadow over the integrity and responsibilities of diplomatic missions and raise urgent questions about the protections available for citizens abroad.
The Kenyan government and other stakeholders are urged to address these allegations seriously and ensure that individuals in positions of power are held accountable for their actions, while also implementing stronger safeguards for the protection of overseas workers.
