By Sr. Veronica Aluoch Onyango (SFIC-Sisters)
It was heartbreaking listening to Grace Njeri narrate her unfortunate experience in Saudi
Arabia. I could hear the pain in her voice and feel the emotional scars left behind by the abuse
she had endured. She described the loneliness of being separated from her children, the fear of
living under constant threats and uncertainty of ever returning home alive.
In November 2022, Grace, a mother of four from Kiambu County decided to travel to Saudi
Arabia after being promised a well-paying job. Like many parents who leave their families
behind to go for domestic work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), her only goal was to provide
a better future for her children.
Although she felt the pain of leaving her children behind, she believed the sacrifice would
eventually improve their lives. Her youngest, a child she bore through a caesarean section was
set to turn three.
However, the hope she carried quickly disappeared when she arrived in Saudi Arabia. The job
she had been promised, to be a cleaner, was changed without her knowledge or consent.
Instead of performing the duties she had agreed to, she was forced to be a house maid working
under harsh conditions.
Upon arrival her employer immediately confiscated her phone and bank card, making it
impossible for her to communicate with her family, or access her own money.
In a foreign country she felt isolated, powerless, and trapped. Grace was forced to work daily
long hours with almost no time to rest. She was rarely given enough food and was expected to
continue working even at the point of exhaustion. The physical demands became unbearable
and her body, which had not fully recovered from the earlier caesarean operation in Kenya,
gave in. She started bleeding due to heavy workload but despite her worsening condition, her
employer refused to take her to the hospital.
Instead of receiving medical care, she was threatened and warned that if she complained,
attempted to escape, or refused to work, she would either rot in prison or lose her life. Living
under constant fear, she endured severe physical pain and emotional suffering while hoping
that someone would come to her rescue.
When her health continued to worsen, Grace’s employer contacted her parents in Kenya
demanding KSh. 450,000 before they could release her to return home.
For the family, this amount was impossible to raise. They were heartbroken and felt helpless,
knowing their daughter was suffering far away in a country where they could do very little to
help.
Despite being closely monitored, Grace found a way to secretly communicate with a trusted
friend. She courageously shared everything she had been experiencing, including the abuse,
threats, and her declining health.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, her friend shared the story through the media and
communication platforms. The story quickly attracted public attention, and people began
calling for urgent intervention which made the matter reach the Kenya Embassy.
Among those who responded was the Religious Against Human Trafficking (RAHT) Kenya, a non-
profit, faith-based organization committed to combating human trafficking and supporting
survivors. Through their invention and advocacy efforts, Grace was able to return safely to
Kenya. Upon her arrival, she received urgent medical treatment to address the health
complications she had developed. RAHT Kenya, also gave her some amount of money to help
her rebuild her life. Although they could not erase the painful experience it gave her the
opportunity to heal, rebuild her life, and look to the future with hope.
Amid sadness there was the joy of reuniting with her children and embracing her family again
after the period of fear and uncertainty.
Annually, many Kenyans leave their families behind in search of better employment
opportunities abroad. They hope to earn enough money to educate their children, build homes,
and improve their family lives. Unfortunately, not every opportunity turns out to be genuine.
Some fall into the hands of traffickers and abusive employers who exploit their vulnerability.
Grace’s story demonstrates why human trafficking prevention and advocacy are essential in
protecting vulnerable people and supporting survivors.
Before accepting any employment opportunity within or outside Kenya, jobs seekers should
verify through recruitment agencies and relevant government authorities, carefully read
employment contracts, keep copies of important documents, and share travel details with
trusted family members.
Without her friend’s courage to speak out, the media’s role in raising public awareness, and the
intervention of RAHT Kenya, Grace’s story might have ended tragically. Her willingness to share
her experience warns others seeking employment abroad to make informed decisions before
accepting job offers. More importantly, her story reminds us that behind every trafficking case
is a person with dreams, a family, and the right to live and work in safety and dignity.
Human trafficking is not only a criminal offence but also a serious violation of human rights and
dignity. Preventing it requires government, recruitment agencies, religious organizations, civil
society, the media, communities, and to work together. Public awareness, stronger law
enforcement, ethical recruitment and survivor support services are essential in reducing human
trafficking and helping survivors recover.
Advocacy gives survivors a voice and encourages communities to report suspicious
recruitments. Through prevention fewer people will fall victims of human trafficking.