In brief
Multiple women have reported instances of sexual exploitation by Kenyan embassy officials while they sought assistance from their abusive workplaces in Saudi Arabia, highlighting a troubling pattern of abuse within diplomatic missions.
In an alarming exposé, young Kenyan women who sought refuge from abuse as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia have recounted instances of sexual exploitation by officials at their own embassy. One such survivor, Selestine Kemoli, sought refuge at the Kenyan embassy in Riyadh in 2020 after enduring horrific mistreatment from her employer, including physical assault and sexual violence. Instead of finding support, she encountered Robinson Juma Twanga, the Kenyan labor attaché. Kemoli recounted that after sharing her ordeal, she was met with a chilling proposition—Twanga offered help in exchange for sex, exploiting her desperate situation.Kemoli's story has been echoed by many others, as various women—including those who had no prior connection to each other—reported similar coercive demands coming from Twanga and other embassy officials when they sought aid after escaping violence. Many women expressed feelings of degradation, stating that instead of receiving protection, they were further victimized by the very authorities meant to safeguard them.Legal advocates for these women have stated that numerous testimonials affirm these troubling allegations of abuse by embassy personnel. They criticized the failure of international labor laws to protect vulnerable workers, emphasizing how officials often take advantage of the precarious positions of domestic workers abroad. This situation has raised significant concerns about the accountability of diplomats and their obligations to those they are meant to assist. As the harassment continues to unfold, the plight of these women highlights a grave need for urgent reforms to protect domestic workers from both employer abuse and exploitation within their government support systems.
