ANKARA, Turkey — The Kenyan government has confirmed that a Kenyan domestic worker in Turkey who was assaulted by her employer is now safe and receiving support, following widespread public outrage triggered by a circulating video of the incident.
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Kathure Njogu said the Kenya Embassy in Ankara acted immediately after receiving information about the assault on February 4, 2026.
“I’d like to confirm that the Kenya Embassy in Ankara, upon receiving this information, immediately swung into action to assist our national,” Njogu said in a statement on Thursday.
She said the victim has since received medical treatment, had her withheld salary and arrears paid in full, and is being supported through legal processes in line with Turkish law.
“She is now safe,” Njogu added, thanking the Kenyan Embassy in Ankara and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs for their intervention.
The case came to public attention after a disturbing video circulated online showing a Kenyan woman being violently beaten by her employer, allegedly after demanding unpaid wages.
The footage sparked anger across social media and renewed debate about the safety of Kenyans working abroad, particularly in domestic labour.
Several Kenyans questioned whether the government had failed migrant workers, directly calling out Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, Diaspora Affairs PS Njogu, and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.
The criticism reflects longstanding concerns over labour migration governance, weak enforcement of bilateral labour agreements, and limited protection mechanisms for Kenyans employed in private households overseas.
Kenya has aggressively promoted labour export as a solution to domestic unemployment.
Official data shows thousands of Kenyans work in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, largely in domestic work, caregiving, construction, and hospitality.
However, rights groups and parliamentary committees have repeatedly warned that domestic workers remain vulnerable due to isolation, power imbalances with employers, and limited access to justice in host countries.
In response to the latest incident, Njogu urged Kenyans in the diaspora to use official support channels when facing distress.
“If you or someone you know in the diaspora is in trouble, kindly reach us at our 24-hour response centre,” she said.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has previously said Kenya is strengthening labour attaché offices, embassy response systems, and pre-departure training to reduce abuse cases.
The government has also signed bilateral labour agreements with several countries to formalise protections for migrant workers.
For now, officials say the immediate priority remains the safety, recovery, and legal redress of the affected worker.
