Kenyan Nurse in Saudi Arabia Alleges Brutal Abuse by Employer, Sparks Outrage on X

Country: Saudi Arabia
Date Published: November 27, 2025
A harrowing account shared by a Kenyan nurse working in Saudi Arabia has ignited fierce discussions across X, with users amplifying calls for government intervention in diaspora labor issues. Mary Wanjiku, who posted a series of graphic photos and videos from her hospital bed on November 27, detailed alleged physical assaults and unpaid wages at the hands of her Saudi employer. Her thread, which garnered over 15,000 retweets and 50,000 likes within hours, described being beaten for requesting her overdue salary, echoing long-standing complaints from Kenyan migrant workers in the Gulf region. Verified Kenyan news accounts like @Kenyans.co.ke and influencer @DiasporaKenyan quickly reposted her story, turning it into a trending topic under #SaveMaryWanjiku.

Wanjiku's posts revealed she had been in Saudi Arabia for two years under the kafala sponsorship system, which critics on X argue traps workers in exploitative conditions. "They beat me like an animal because I asked for my money. Kenyans, help me get back home," she wrote in one viral tweet, accompanied by bruises and medical reports. Regular users and diaspora groups flooded the replies with stories of similar ordeals, including deaths and rapes previously reported but often ignored. Accounts like @MigrantWorkersKE shared statistics, noting over 100 Kenyan deaths in Saudi Arabia since 2020, fueling accusations of negligence by the Kenyan embassy.

The backlash extended to high-profile figures, with Kenyan MP @HonWanjala retweeting: "This is modern slavery! Time for Kenya to ban labor migration to Saudi until reforms." Controversial voices countered, with some users blaming workers for "poor choices," but the majority rallied behind Wanjiku, organizing a petition that hit 20,000 signatures by evening. News outlets on X, such as @CitizenTVKenya, confirmed they were verifying details and contacting authorities, while Saudi-based Kenyan communities warned others against signing new contracts.

As the story spreads globally, Kenyan netizens are demanding repatriation flights and legal aid, highlighting the precarious lives of thousands of Kenyans abroad. Wanjiku's final update pleaded for donations via M-Pesa, with X users contributing and sharing advice on escaping abusive sponsors. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Kenya-Saudi relations, with #JusticeForMary trending alongside broader diaspora debates on exploitation versus economic necessity. Kenyan officials have yet to respond publicly, but pressure mounts for swift action.