Chepkemoi credits God after return for Saudi Arabia

It is through the hand of God that I am alive today, Diana Chepkemoi, the lady who was finally rescued from her employer in Saudi Arabia has said. 

Chepkemoi spoke during a reception ceremony at her Chemalal home in Konoin, Bomet, on Tuesday. 

The former university student said she underwent torturous moments in the hands of her employer that, were it not for interventions from the Kenyan embassy officials and well-wishers, she would have returned home lifeless.

“I thank God because I am now free because what I went through was horrible and there is nothing good as freedom,” she said. 

Jubilant residents trooped to their home to receive her immediately news came that arrived in Kenya from the Middle East country where she was employed as a domestic worker.

The local leadership also joined the villagers in celebrating Chepkemoi whose online photos that showed her emaciated got the attention of Kenyans.

They conducted special prayers, thanking God for rescuing her after she got stuck.

Chepkemoi, who has since been offered a job at the university as she continues with her studies, was also quick to appeal to the government to help repatriate other Kenyans who, she said, are suffering in Saudi Arabia. 

She said urgent measures need to be done to stop the mistreatment foreigners are subjected to.

“My case was better because I raised the alarm earlier. The kind of mistreatment being meted on them is above any human kind. The people are tortured psychologically and physically and it is not fair at all,” the former university said. 

“Those who are planning to go there should either think twice before proceeding with their journey. Our Country is good and they should just stay here.” 

Chepkemoi flew out of the country a year ago to seek employment so that she could complete her university education.

She was pursuing a degree in food science and management before she deferred her studies due to lack of school fees.

When the photos resurfaced, the former university student was picked from her employer’s house and rushed to a top-level hospital for a check-up. 

She was later discharged and referred to a specialised hospital for a further diagnosis where she was given a clean bill of health.

Her mother, Clara Maritim, said that it was through the hand of God that her daughter returned to Kenya safe.

“It was God’s grace that my daughter has reunited with the other members of the family,” she said. 

Kimulot MCA Eric Kirui called on the national government and counties to put measures that will enable young people to work in the country instead of looking for jobs outside to avoid such occurrences.

“There is a need to engage youth and create opportunities that will help improve their living standards and stay away from such jobs which are now risky and a threat to our young people,” he said.

(edited by Amol Awuor)