A Kenyan woman stranded in Cambodia has issued a desperate appeal to the government, claiming that she and more than 100 other Kenyans are being held under threatening conditions and face the risk of being trafficked.
Speaking to Nairobileo.co.ke on Wednesday, January 21, Nancy Akinyi from Kibra in Nairobi County said the situation facing the group has continued to deteriorate, with their freedom of movement restricted and their safety increasingly under threat.
Akinyi said the Kenyans are not allowed to leave freely and are living under constant intimidation, raising fears that they could be sold into human trafficking networks.
“I am a Kenyan citizen currently in Cambodia. We are more than 100 Kenyans being held under threatening conditions, and there is a serious risk that we may be sold into human trafficking. We are not free to leave, we are intimidated, and our lives are in danger. The situation is very urgent and is getting worse by the day,” she said.
According to Akinyi, she travelled to Cambodia in May 2025 on a visit visa after her trip was sponsored by an agency that promised her employment in cosmetology. However, upon arrival, she realised that the terms and conditions on the ground were vastly different from what she had been told.
She said that soon after arriving, their movements became restricted, and some members of the group were allegedly threatened, punished, or harmed, further heightening fear among the stranded Kenyans.
“Our freedom of movement is restricted. There are people who have been threatened, punished, or harmed. This has created a lot of fear among us,” Akinyi said.
The woman appealed directly to the Kenyan government to intervene urgently, protect them, and facilitate their rescue and safe return home.
“We are urgently requesting immediate intervention, protection, and rescue, and assistance to return safely to Kenya. We are ready to share our location and all the necessary details securely,” she added.
Akinyi also claimed that attempts to seek help from local immigration authorities were unsuccessful. According to her, officials told her to buy a ticket and leave the country, despite her explaining that she was being detained and assaulted.
“We do not have a Kenyan embassy here. When I went to the migration office, they told me to buy a ticket and leave, even after I explained that I was being held and beaten,” she said.
The appeal comes amid growing concern over the safety of Kenyans working or seeking employment abroad, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, where cases of exploitation and trafficking have been reported.
Months earlier, Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli urged Kenyans working abroad to ensure they are registered with Kenyan embassies, high commissions, consulates, and permanent missions.
In a statement issued on November 13, 2025, Atwoli said proper documentation of Kenyan workers abroad was critical to enable the government to respond quickly in case of emergencies or disputes.
“As Kenya increasingly positions itself as a labour-exporting nation, it is important that our workers abroad are properly documented and recognised through official government channels so that the government can offer timely protection, assistance, and accountability,” Atwoli said.
He also noted that COTU had received several distress calls from Kenyan workers abroad, warning of a growing trend of unsafe migration practices that expose workers to legal and security risks.
Atwoli cautioned that travelling abroad without following proper procedures could leave workers vulnerable and limit the government’s ability to intervene when problems arise.