Selestine Kemoli sought refuge at the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh in 2020, escaping an abusive situation while working as a maid in Saudi Arabia. She reported severe mistreatment, including physical abuse and sexual assault, by her employer, and she was desperate to return home to her children in Kenya.
According to Ms. Kemoli, the embassy's labor attaché, Robinson Juma Twanga, responded to her plea for help with a disturbing proposition. He allegedly suggested that she could receive assistance only if she engaged in sexual activity with him, mirroring the abuse she had already faced.
Multiple women, unaware of each other's experiences, reported similar accounts of exploitation by Mr. Twanga upon fleeing abuse in Saudi Arabia. These testimonies indicate a pattern where embassy officials allegedly demanded sex or payment or coerced women into sex work to facilitate their return home.
Legal representatives have gathered numerous accounts from women claiming that other embassy staff have engaged in similar misconduct. Mr. Twanga's conduct exemplifies a broader issue regarding the exploitation of vulnerable women by officials who are meant to provide support.
A spokesperson for Kenya’s Foreign Ministry, speaking on behalf of President William Ruto, stated he was unaware of such allegations against embassy officials. When contacted, Mr. Twanga dismissed the claims, stating he is retired and unwilling to engage in the discussion.
The women interviewed across Kenya reported consistent experiences of mistreatment at the embassy, including being insulted and having their need for assistance questioned, despite evident signs of trauma and abuse. Ms. Kemoli continues to bear visible scars from her ordeal.
Faith Gathuo, another woman who sought help, recounted her experience of being beaten and raped, only to be confronted by another embassy official who demanded money and sexual favors in return for assistance.
Every year, tens of thousands of Kenyans travel to Saudi Arabia for better economic opportunities, often facing severe risks, including abuse and exploitation. Recent investigations have highlighted the profitable dynamics of the labor system, where influential figures benefit from the plight of these workers.
Amid this backdrop, multiple women have identified Mr. Twanga as a key figure in the alleged abuse. Ms. Kemoli and others claimed he suggested prostitution as an alternative for those seeking to escape their employers.
Accountability for these abuses appears lacking, with advocates highlighting a need for improved protections and support for women who return home under traumatic circumstances. Family members of workers who died in Saudi Arabia reported that embassy officials solicited funds for repatriating bodies, while some were later told that payment was not actually necessary.
Years after her return, Ms. Gathuo still suffers physical and emotional scars from her experiences, including a gap in her smile from a violent incident. She described how an embassy official exploited her vulnerability, demanding payment and sexual favors before ultimately failing to provide the promised assistance.
Ms. Kemoli, who endured significant trauma, was eventually assisted by the International Organization for Migration after refusing Mr. Twanga’s advance. She reported that she has not received full compensation for her work in Saudi Arabia and continues to struggle with mental health challenges related to her experiences.
As her children inquire about her scars, Ms. Kemoli finds herself at a loss for words, reflecting the profound impact of her traumatic experiences.