Kenya is systematically sending thousands of women to work abroad, primarily as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
While promoted as national service, a deep investigation reveals a system rife with exploitation, where the very politicians and officials meant to protect these women are instead profiting from them. For example, powerful figures, including allies and family members of President William Ruto, hold significant stakes in the recruitment industry.
The government has fast-tracked labor exports under a deal with Saudi Arabia that minimizes wages and protections, prioritizing profitability over safety.
Meanwhile, workers report brutal conditions in Saudi Arabia, including 20-hour workdays, physical abuse, and sexual assault.
Yet, officials often blame the victims, declining to address the situation. Despite knowing the risks, ambitious women desperate to escape poverty see the initiative as a gamble worth taking.