By Aoma Keziah,
A group of domestic workers who have returned home from the Gulf gathered at the East African Institute of Homecare Management in Nairobi to share their experiences and push for stronger reintegration measures.
The event, titled Bridging Home: Strengthening Reintegration for Returnee Workers, was organized by the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD) in partnership with the Domestic Workers Rights of Kenya (DWRoK). The meeting comes just days before the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, marked annually on 30 July.
Speaking to a room of fellow returnees, community leaders and government representatives, some of the workers described the hardships they faced abroad and the challenges they continue to grapple with now that they are back. Many spoke about lack of legal support, difficulties finding work and the stigma they encounter at home.
Edith Murogo, Founder and Executive Director Centre for Domestic Training and Development said that they have a lot of returnees now in Kenya, those who have been repatriated, those who have come back voluntarily and those ones their contracts ended .
“We have decided to involve government, CSOs, the church, and survivor network groups so that they can be here to listen to these returnees, to celebrate them and we also see how we can all sign again so that we can be able to give holistic services to them. I would ask the government to invest and put a lot of money into educating communities,” she stated.
A panel discussion followed the testimonies, where speakers from civil society, government and the private sector looked at ways to close the gaps that hinder smooth reintegration. Participants highlighted the need for better mental health support, access to training and fair job opportunities for returnees who often come back empty-handed.
“We have National Employment Authority, very few people know it, meaning the government doesn’t invest in passing out the information to the public. It is purely an issue of communication, communicating what is in place to the public. Government has not invested in the market,” explained Vincent Ombati, Chairman Kenya Association of Private Agencies.
At the end of the gathering, stakeholders pledged to work more closely together to address the needs of returnee domestic workers. The CDTD Director called on both county and national governments to prioritize policies that protect the rights of migrant workers before they leave and once they return.
“Listening to these brave women today reminds us why we must act urgently. Reintegration is not just about bringing our people home, it is about helping them rebuild their lives with dignity,” Murogo added.
The organizers said the discussions from today’s meeting will feed into a larger national plan aimed at preventing exploitation of migrant workers and helping those who return to settle back into their communities.
Mt Kenya Times