A Kenyan worker in Saudi Arabia Aurelia Cheruto from Kartur Village in Elgeyo Marakwet has been rescued.

In a statement on Saturday, Elgeiyo Marakwet governor Wisley Rotich confirmed that efforts from Labour CS Florence Bore and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen helped to rescue her.

"I wish to confirm that Aurelia Cheruto has been successfully rescued in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to the swift intervention by Bore and Murkomen immediately we brought this to their attention," he said. 

The development came after Cheruto pleaded for urgent help to be evacuated from Saudi Arabia and be repatriated home.

Cheruto claimed that she had not taken a meal since January 4, 2023, and her health was deteriorating.

Her efforts to link up with her agent failed to bear fruit as she was not responding.

Cheruto pleaded with Kenyans to help because her employer was threatening to shoot her.

The governor urged youths in the county who are seeking to fly to Saudi Arabia for school and opportunities to consult PEPEA office in Elgeiyo Marakwet for suitable destinations.

Reports about Kenyans who are mistreated in the Gulf countries by their employers have continued to surface.

The Gulf countries, for instance, rely on millions of foreign workers such as housemaids, fitness instructors, metro-train employees, hotel cleaners and waiters, caregivers, nannies, drivers, and security guards. 

They work for long hours for wages far below the minimum rate and in some instances, suffer physical and sexual violence. By PERPETUA ETYANG, The Star