Stranded and Sick: The Meru Woman Trapped by a Broken Work Contract Abroad

A Kenyan woman from Meru County is stranded in Saudi Arabia after a dispute with her employer left her without medical care or means to return home.

Jane Kathure Kanyua travelled to Saudi Arabia for work but is now confined to her recruitment agency’s offices following the collapse of her employment arrangement. According to her family, she has remained there for two months without adequate support.

Her health has declined significantly during this period. Relatives report symptoms including persistent fever, low blood pressure and vomiting, raising concern about a possible serious illness. Despite this, she has not received proper medical treatment. 

The agency is said to have refused to fund her return to Kenya, insisting she pay for her own flight. Her family in Meru states they cannot afford the cost.

The family has appealed for assistance from the government and members of the public. They say her situation reflects wider risks faced by Kenyan migrant workers abroad.

The case emerged shortly after Kenya marked Labour Day 2026, when the government announced a 12 per cent increase in the minimum wage and renewed commitments to protect workers’ rights. However, the situation of citizens working overseas highlights the limits of these protections beyond national borders.

Concerns extend beyond Saudi Arabia. Reports from Libya indicate that Kenyan workers there face exploitation and, in some cases, abduction by trafficking networks. Recent findings from the United Nations suggest that disputes over wages may conceal more serious forms of abuse.

A key issue is the gap in enforcement across jurisdictions. While Kenya can regulate recruitment agencies and enter into bilateral labour agreements, it cannot directly enforce its laws in other countries. 

Diplomatic missions often lack sufficient staff, funding and facilities, including safe houses, to assist distressed workers. In addition, there are limited consequences for foreign employers who breach agreements.

Her family continues to seek assistance, hoping she will receive medical care and be returned to Kenya safely.