This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
As the world slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Kenyans remain stranded in the Gulf, with over 250 workers from Kenya still awaiting evacuation.
According to reports, the Kenyan embassy in the UAE has gone silent on the issue, leaving the stranded workers to fend for themselves. Some have been kicked out of their apartments, while others have had their travel documents confiscated.
One of the stranded workers, Alex, has reached out to blogger @CisNyakundi, calling on the government and relevant lobby groups to come to their aid. However, the Kenyan embassy in the UAE has not responded to their pleas in weeks.
Contrary to Kenya's inaction, other countries such as the Philippines have successfully repatriated their citizens from the Gulf nations, including undocumented workers.
Many Kenyan workers in Dubai have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and are struggling to make ends meet. They have no money for food and accommodation, as company benefits have been withdrawn.
Some Kenyans in the Gulf have expired visas and are surviving under amnesty. Back home, the government is preoccupied with succession politics, leaving the stranded workers to suffer.
Despite their pleas for help, politicians have remained mute, except for former Kiambu governor William Kabogo, who has promised to assist the stranded workers.
The government has not announced a date for the resumption of commercial flights to the Gulf, leaving the stranded workers with little hope.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the stranded Kenyans are calling on the government to come to their rescue immediately.
