A report exposes the harrowing experiences of Kenyan maids who, after enduring abuse from their employers in Saudi Arabia, found themselves facing further exploitation by embassy officials, highlighting a grave issue of systematic abuse within diplomatic ties.
Kenyan Maids Face Additional Abuse from Embassy Officials While Seeking Help Abroad
Kenyan Maids Face Additional Abuse from Embassy Officials While Seeking Help Abroad
Reports reveal disturbing accounts of Kenyan domestic workers being sexually exploited by embassy officials when they sought assistance in Saudi Arabia.
In a deeply troubling revelation, several Kenyan women working as maids in Saudi Arabia have come forward with accusations of sexual exploitation by embassy officials when they sought refuge from abusive employers. One victim, Selestine Kemoli, evoking her traumatic experiences, detailed a horrifying encounter with Robinson Juma Twanga, the labor attaché at the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh.
Kemoli, who fled to the embassy in 2020 after suffering various acts of violence, including physical assault and sexual abuse by her employer, approached the embassy for assistance in returning home to her children in Kenya. Instead of providing support, Twanga allegedly offered help under the condition that she would engage in sexual relations with him, equating his demands to those of her abusive boss.
Numerous women across different counties, previously unknown to each other, have shared similar stories. They report that Twanga and other officials sought sex or money in exchange for assistance, compounding the trauma experienced during their time working abroad. Lawyers responding to these allegations have noted that the accounts of exploitation are widespread, pointing to a consistent pattern of abuse among embassy staff toward vulnerable workers.
This alarming situation raises significant concerns about the safety and protection of Kenyan nationals abroad, particularly those in domestic work roles that often leave them isolated and in precarious situations. Reports like these underscore the need for sweeping reforms in how embassy officials manage cases involving overseas workers and highlight the necessity for protective measures against exploitation, ensuring the dignity and safety of those in vulnerable positions.
