Problems faced by Kenyans employed at the Gulf.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-12-21-family-anguish-as-daughter-admitted-to-saudi-hospital/

A Murang'a family is in pin as efforts to return a relative who has been admitted to a Saudi Arabian hospital for several weeks appear futile.

According to relatives, Lucy Wambui has been in the hospital for more than three weeks, suffering from an illness they are unaware of.

Margaret Njoki, from Kambirwa village, said her daughter left the country in May to seek employment in Saudi Arabia but became ill near the end of November.

Njoki lamented that efforts to return her daughter to Kenya for treatment had been futile because her employer was unwilling to release her.

According to the mother, the employer claims she paid Sh660,000 through an agent to acquire Wambui and that she is still owed Sh450,000 after deducting the five months she has worked for them.

"We are very concerned because if they demand compensation, we don't know if they will also demand that we pay for the hospital bill," Njoki lamented.

Sarah Njeri, Wambui's cousin, stated that she was in contact with her when she became ill.

Njeri stated that her cousin was taken to the hospital after family members sought assistance at the Saudi embassy in Nairobi.

"Wambui informed me last month that she was sick, but her employer refused to take her to the hospital. "After the Saudi Arabian embassy intervened, the employer later took her to the health facility where she is being treated," Njeri said.

She went on to say that her cousin was admitted to ICU for a few days and that after a CT scan, doctors said they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her.

"We were informed last Wednesday that she had regained consciousness and had been discharged from the ICU," Njeri said.

She claims the employer has not yet disclosed the name of the hospital where Wambui is being treated or the nature of her illness.

"She had informed us that she has digestive issues and that her colon is inflamed, but the most recent message we received from the employer is that she is having breathing problems," Njeri explained.

Wambui has been in poor health since she went to Saudi Arabia, according to Njeri, and her family and friends are now pleading for help to have her repatriated so that they can care for her at home.

She claims that her employer has demanded that she be compensated for the amount they paid for her before allowing her to leave.

Joyce Njeri, one of Wambui's aunts, said the family has been devastated by the news of her severe illness and is relieved that she is improving.

She stated that Saudi Arabia is a distant country with no ability to assist her, and she requested assistance from relevant government agencies help bring her home.

"We humbly request that the government assist us in bringing our sick daughter back to the country so that we can care for her," she said.

She went on to say that if the government does not intervene, Wambui will be forced to continue working despite her poor health.

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