Several Kenyan workers stranded in Juba, South Sudan, have renewed their complaints against recruiter Ann Kathure Rutere, accusing her of leaving them without salaries after travelling abroad in search of employment.
The workers, who requested that their identities be kept private for fear of possible consequences, say they travelled to Juba after being recruited for jobs.
However, they claim their experience has turned into a difficult struggle after they failed to receive the salaries they expected.
According to the workers, the situation has left them facing serious challenges while away from home. They say they travelled to South Sudan believing they had secured employment and would be able to earn a living, only to find themselves in a situation where they are struggling to access the money they say they are owed.
The workers have now called for attention to their case, particularly the role played by Rutere in their recruitment. They claim this is not the first time concerns have been raised over her recruitment activities and alleged failure to ensure that Kenyan workers receive their salaries.
Their latest appeal paints a worrying picture of Kenyans who left the country expecting better opportunities but now find themselves stranded in a foreign country without the financial support they had anticipated.
The workers say they are not asking for special treatment. Their main demand is to receive the money they are owed and to find a safe way out of the situation if their employment cannot continue.
“We are Kenyans working away from home, and we simply want what we are owed and a safe way out of this difficult situation,” the workers said in their appeal.
Their concerns also raise questions about the protection offered to Kenyans who seek employment outside the country through recruiters. For workers travelling abroad, recruitment is often based on trust, with employees depending on promises about salaries, working conditions and other arrangements before leaving their homes.
When those promises are not honoured, the workers can be left with few options, particularly when they are already in another country.
The workers have therefore appealed to relevant Kenyan authorities and other agencies that may have jurisdiction over the matter to intervene and establish what happened. They want their grievances heard and answers provided over their recruitment and unpaid salaries.
They also want assistance in returning home safely if the employment arrangement cannot be resolved.
For the affected workers, the issue is no longer simply about finding a job. It is about being able to survive while away from Kenya and having confidence that agreements made during recruitment will be respected.
Their accusations against Rutere remain allegations, and she has not been given an opportunity to respond to the claims contained in the workers’ appeal. Any response or clarification from her would be important in establishing the full circumstances surrounding the recruitment and salary dispute.
The Kenyan workers in Juba are appealing for help.
They say they travelled thousands of kilometres looking for an opportunity to earn a living, but instead have found themselves waiting for salaries they claim have not been paid and seeking assistance to get out of a situation they say has become increasingly difficult.
