The welfare of Kenyans working abroad has come into sharp focus again after another citizen was subjected to a harrowing assault in Dubai.
The victim, identified as Brian Kiplimo, was choked inside his vehicle by a rogue client, with the whole incident being caught on video.
According to Kiplimo's family, the cab driver only moved to the Middle East two months ago in search of greener pastures.
In the video dated November 8, Kiplimo is seen engaging a client while in his vehicle's driver seat at around 5:58 am Middle Eastern time.
The duo eventually agree on the trip, and the client makes way into the vehicle. While the trip initially went on without a hitch, the client moved seats behind the cab driver , before holding him on the driver's seat in a chokehold.
Preliminary reports suggest the cab driver was assaulted by the client after he turned down an attempt to touch him.
Kiplimo has since been taken to the hospital in the wake of the attack, where he is receiving treatment. His family, however, remain in distress as they are unaware of how he can seek justice under UAE law.
Further, fresh reports claim attempts by Kiplimo's family to file a complaint with the cab company have proven futile. Meanwhile, the Kenyan is unable to leave Dubai since his employer is in possession of his documents, including his passport.
According to the victim’s family, the incident was reported to Dubai authorities, but the family has not received any substantive updates on the legal proceedings.
At the time of publication of the article, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had yet to issue a statement amid pressure from Kenyans on social media for the government to upscale efforts to safeguard the welfare of Kenyans abroad.
The latest incident came barely a week after Kiambu Senator Karung'o wa Than'gwa highlighted the plight of Kenyan mothers in Saudi Arabia, who were reportedly unable to leave the country after being dismissed by their employers.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has since clarified that there is a bureaucratic pathway for the stranded mothers to leave Saudi Arabia, but that it was not being properly utilised.
