Kenyan Nurse in Saudi Arabia Sparks Outrage with Viral Video Exposing Abusive Work Conditions

Country: Saudi Arabia
Date Published: December 17, 2025

A Kenyan nurse working in Saudi Arabia has ignited a firestorm on X (formerly Twitter) after posting a harrowing video detailing alleged physical abuse and exploitative working conditions at her hospital. The clip, shared on December 17, 2025, by user @MercyWanjikuKE—a verified diaspora account with over 50,000 followers—shows bruises on her arms and legs, which she claims were inflicted by her supervisor during a heated argument over unpaid overtime. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 200,000 views, 15,000 retweets, and thousands of replies within hours, drawing responses from Kenyan influencers, human rights activists, and even government officials.

In the video, Wanjiku, who has been in Saudi Arabia for three years, breaks down in tears while describing 18-hour shifts without breaks, salary deductions for minor infractions, and threats of deportation if she complains. "We came here to build a future for our families back home, but we're treated like slaves," she captioned the post, tagging Kenyan embassy accounts and President William Ruto. Discussions erupted across X, with users like @DiasporaWatchKE threading a series of similar stories from other Kenyan nurses, including one from @Sarah_KenyaRN who shared screenshots of her own contract violations. Hashtags #SaveKenyanNurses and #SaudiAbuseKE trended in Kenya, peaking at number one nationwide by evening.

The controversy has split opinions in the Kenyan diaspora community. While many, including verified journalist @BonifaceMwangi, called for immediate government intervention and repatriation flights, others defended Saudi employers, arguing that Wanjiku violated her contract by filming inside the facility. News accounts like @K24Tv and @CitizenTVKE amplified the story, reporting that the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh confirmed they were investigating and had contacted the nurse. Regular users shared personal anecdotes, with one thread from @KenyanAbroadHub compiling over 50 complaints from Kenyans in Gulf countries since 2024, highlighting a pattern of labor mistreatment.

Saudi authorities have yet to respond publicly, but Wanjiku updated her thread late on December 17, claiming her passport was confiscated and she was placed on house arrest at the staff quarters. The incident has reignited broader debates on X about the risks of Gulf migration for Kenyans, with economists noting that remittances from Saudi Arabia total over KSh 100 billion annually, yet stories like this underscore the human cost. Kenyan MPs have promised a parliamentary probe, as the online outcry continues to grow, pressuring diplomatic channels for swift action.