Peter Kimanga and his family were lured by the promise of a well-paying supermarket job in Dubai, but their hopes swiftly turned into a devastating ordeal. Initially offered a lucrative salary of KSh 150,000 per month, Kimanga tragically passed away under suspicious circumstances shortly after arriving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Accompanied by his brother Kelvin Mwangi, Kimanga embarked on the journey filled with optimism about their new employment prospects. They had engaged the services of Julian Wanjiku, a Kenyan agent who facilitated their job placements for a fee of KSh 400,000.
Upon reaching Dubai, however, their expectations were shattered. Wanjiku became unreachable, leaving them stranded. Another agent they encountered took advantage of their vulnerability, accommodating them in squalid living conditions in Jeb Ali, a town southwest of Dubai.
Days turned into weeks with no sign of the promised jobs materializing. The brothers found themselves penniless, homeless, and desperate. The unbearable situation weighed heavily on Kimanga, whose health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his sudden death on May 15.
Official reports cited heart-related complications as the cause of Kimanga’s demise, a conclusion disputed by his grieving family. They firmly believe that Kimanga, previously healthy and without pre-existing conditions, succumbed to the overwhelming stress and depression induced by their dire circumstances.
“My son died from the stress and depression of being homeless. The agent who was supposed to provide accommodation threatened them. My son was devastated after Julian Wanjiku Maina scammed us of KSh 400,000 only for us to discover it was a fraudulent job offer in Dubai,” lamented Jane Nduta, Kimanga’s mother.
Kimanga’s body was repatriated to Kenya and laid to rest on June 5. The family has filed a formal complaint with the Matangi Police Post in Juja, Kiambu county. Despite acknowledging receipt of the fee, Julian Wanjiku denied any responsibility for the tragic outcome, asserting that she merely acted as a conduit for the job placement.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with overseas job offers and underscores the importance of thorough scrutiny before embarking on such opportunities.
