She had secured a job as a household manager in Iraq, a position she believed would bring her success and help her support her family back home. But her journey ended up in a maximum-security prison, far from what she had ever imagined.
After arriving in Iraq, Catherine quickly started her new job. For two years, she worked diligently, adapting to her new life away from home. As her contract neared its end, she looked forward to returning to Kenya.
She wanted to go back to her family and take a break from her demanding work. However, her plans were disrupted when her employer refused to let her go.
Her employer insisted that Catherine renew her contract for another two years. Catherine tried to explain that she was mentally exhausted and wanted to go home, but her pleas were ignored.
Despite packing her belongings and even going shopping with her employer, she was forced to stay. Her boss told her she would have to pay for her return ticket and continued to hold her passport.
Feeling trapped and desperate, Catherine decided to seek help from the Iraqi immigration authorities. Unfortunately, Iraq does not have a Kenyan embassy, which made her situation even more difficult.
After providing her details to immigration, Catherine was handed over to the Iraqi police. She hoped that the authorities would help her return home, but instead, they took her to a hospital for medical tests.
To her horror, Catherine soon realized she was being taken to a prison. As the vehicle approached buildings surrounded by barbed wire, she felt a wave of fear.
When they entered the locked building, she saw people in cages and was immediately labeled as a newcomer. Her worst fears came true—she was in a maximum-security prison, a place she never thought she would end up.
Inside the prison, Catherine faced harsh conditions. She was placed in a crowded room with over 100 other prisoners, including murderers and drug dealers serving life sentences.
The prison was poorly managed, and the living conditions were deplorable. The space was so cramped that prisoners had to sleep sitting up, and there was only one toilet for everyone. The environment was chaotic and traumatic for Catherine.
Despite the dreadful circumstances, Catherine found a glimmer of hope during Ramadan in 2023. The prison began releasing some of its inmates, and Catherine was among those who were freed.
With her newfound freedom, she quickly contacted her family in Kenya and arranged for money to buy a plane ticket back home.
Catherine's release was a relief, but her story reveals a troubling situation for many Kenyan workers abroad.
While her ordeal was exceptionally harsh, it highlights the broader issues faced by Kenyan nationals working in countries with limited support systems.
Many workers, like Catherine, face challenges far beyond their control, and it is crucial for both the Kenyan government and international organizations to address these issues and provide better support.
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