Kenyan Expat in US Faces Deportation After Viral Video Exposes Workplace Abuse

Country: United States
Date Published: January 14, 2026

A Kenyan immigrant working as a caregiver in Texas has sparked widespread outrage on X after posting a video detailing alleged workplace abuse and the threat of deportation, drawing thousands of shares and calls for intervention from Kenyan diaspora groups. The video, shared by user @MwendwaKE (a verified Kenyan influencer with over 50k followers), shows the woman, identified only as Mercy, breaking down as she describes being denied wages, overworked 16-hour shifts, and threats from her employer after reporting conditions to authorities. Posted on January 14, the clip has amassed over 120k views, with users tagging US immigration officials and Kenyan embassy accounts in a flurry of supportive replies.

The story unfolded rapidly on X, where #SaveMercyKE trended briefly among East African communities in the US, fueled by retweets from prominent voices like @DiasporaWatchKE and news outlet @CitizenTVKE. Regular users shared similar testimonies, with one thread from @TexasKikuyu (a Kenyan real estate agent in Dallas) compiling over a dozen accounts of Kenyan nannies and caregivers facing exploitation in American households. "This is modern slavery. Mercy is not alone—hundreds of us are trapped," read a viral quote-tweet that garnered 8k likes. Discussions highlighted systemic issues, including H-2B visa vulnerabilities that leave workers fearful of retaliation.

Kenyan officials abroad responded tentatively, with the Kenyan Consulate in New York posting a statement urging affected workers to reach out via DM, though critics on X accused them of inaction. Influencer @WanjikuRevolts, known for diaspora advocacy, launched a petition on Change.org linked in her thread, which had 2k signatures within hours, demanding labor rights protections and an investigation into the employer—a Houston-based family. "US dreams turning into nightmares for our sisters," she captioned a repost of Mercy's video, amplifying voices from Kenyans in California and New York sharing parallel stories.

As the conversation continues to rage on X into January 17, with live Spaces hosted by diaspora podcasters dissecting visa scams and employer blacklisting tactics, Mercy's plight underscores the precarious lives of many Kenyans chasing opportunities abroad. While some users praised her courage—"Queen for speaking out!"—others debated personal responsibility, igniting heated exchanges. No official updates from US authorities have surfaced yet, but the viral momentum shows no signs of slowing, pressuring both governments to act.