Kenyan Nurse in Saudi Arabia Shares Horrifying Exploitation Story, Sparks Diaspora Outrage on X

Country: Saudi Arabia
Date Published: January 16, 2026

A Kenyan nurse working in Saudi Arabia has ignited a firestorm of discussion on X (formerly Twitter) after posting a harrowing thread detailing years of alleged exploitation, unpaid wages, and passport confiscation by her employer. The viral thread, shared by @MercyWanjikuKE—a verified Kenyan influencer with over 50,000 followers—has garnered more than 10,000 retweets and 25,000 likes since its posting on January 16, 2026. Users from the Kenyan diaspora, including accounts like @KenyansInGulf and @DiasporaWatchKE, have amplified the story, tagging Saudi authorities and the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding immediate intervention.

In her detailed 15-post thread, Wanjiku described being lured to Riyadh in 2023 with promises of a KSh 150,000 monthly salary and free housing, only to face months without pay, 18-hour shifts, and physical abuse from supervisors. "They took my passport on day one. I've been a prisoner in this hospital for 2 years. Kenyans, wake up! Don't come here blindly," she wrote, attaching photos of her employment contract and unpaid salary slips blurred for privacy. The post exploded after being quote-tweeted by prominent Kenyan journalist @LarryMadowo, who added, "This is modern slavery. @StateHouseKenya, where is the protection for our workers abroad?"

The discussion has split the X community, with some users praising Wanjiku's bravery and calling for a boycott of Gulf jobs, while others, including @GulfKenyans, cautioned against generalizations, noting that "not all experiences are bad—many of us are thriving." Trending hashtags #SaveMercyWanjiku and #KenyansInSaudi have trended in Kenya and among East African users, with regular posters sharing similar stories. One user, @JumaFromNairobi, posted a video rant: "My sister is in the same hell in Qatar. Government must act NOW!" amplifying the conversation to over 500 replies.

Kenyan officials have yet to respond publicly, but the thread has prompted real-time action, including a petition on X gaining 2,000 signatures in hours, urging repatriation. News accounts like @CitizenTVKE and @KTNNewsKE have picked up the story, interviewing diaspora members in the comments. As debates rage online, Wanjiku updated her thread thanking supporters and confirming contact from the Kenyan embassy, highlighting the power of social media in exposing abuses faced by thousands of Kenyans in the Middle East. The incident underscores ongoing challenges for the diaspora, whose remittances exceed $4 billion annually to Kenya, amid persistent reports of labor rights violations.