Foreign Affairs Ministry Intervenes to Save Kenyan Worker Allegedly Assaulted in Turkey
In a statement released on Friday, February 6, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roselyne Njogu said the Kenyan government acted swiftly after receiving details of the incident on February 4, 2026. The woman, who was working as a house help in Turkey, was reportedly assaulted by her employer after demanding payment of unpaid wages.
“I’d like to confirm that the Kenya Embassy in Ankara, upon receiving this information on February 4, 2026, immediately swung into action to assist our national,” Njogu said.
According to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the victim was provided with immediate medical attention and placed under the care of Kenyan diplomatic officials in Turkey. The ministry further confirmed that the worker received her full salary, including all outstanding arrears, and was assisted in pursuing legal and administrative support related to the alleged assault in line with Turkish law.
“She was accorded medical care, received her full salary together with the arrears owed, and was supported in seeking appropriate assistance following the incident,” the Principal Secretary stated.
Njogu added that the woman is now out of danger and under the protection of Kenyan authorities, praising the efforts of diplomatic staff involved in the rescue.
“She is now safe. We commend the Kenya Embassy in Ankara and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs for their commitment to serving Kenyans abroad,” she said.
The government’s intervention followed a public uproar after a video surfaced online allegedly showing the woman being physically assaulted by a man believed to be her employer. The footage, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, triggered widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny of the safety of Kenyan workers abroad.
Many Kenyans took to social media to demand urgent government action, questioning the protection mechanisms in place for citizens working overseas. Senior government officials and state agencies were tagged in online campaigns calling for accountability and stronger safeguards for migrant workers.
Responding to the public concern, Njogu urged Kenyans living and working abroad to report cases of distress through official channels, noting that the government operates a 24-hour diaspora response centre to handle emergencies.
“We encourage Kenyans in the diaspora to always use established reporting channels whenever they face distress. The government has systems in place to respond promptly,” she said.
The incident has once again brought attention to the challenges faced by Kenyan domestic workers abroad, particularly in regions where labour protections are weak or poorly enforced. Over the years, numerous reports have emerged detailing cases of abuse, withheld wages, passport confiscation, and harsh working conditions affecting Kenyan workers in parts of the Middle East and Europe.
Just three months ago, international media highlighted the plight of Kenyan house helps in Saudi Arabia, where some workers reported being denied food, forced to work long hours, and prevented from returning home after employers confiscated their travel documents.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained that it is strengthening oversight of labour migration and working with host countries to improve the welfare and protection of Kenyan workers abroad. The latest intervention in Turkey, officials say, underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of its citizens, regardless of where they work.
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Foreign Affairs Ministry Intervenes to Save Kenyan Worker Allegedly Assaulted in Turkey
