Anthony Mbare had harbored great expectations for his migration to Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, with the hope of improving his and his family’s lives. Eager to escape Kenya’s contracting job market, he seized an employment opportunity in the UK, investing £2,500 (equivalent to Sh. 457,400) for visa sponsorship. In the year 2022, he and his family made the life-altering move to the UK, brimming with aspirations of a brighter future.
The enticing job offer had pledged an annual salary of £21,200 (Sh. 3.9 million), a substantial leap from what he could have earned in Kenya. However, upon his arrival and the commencement of his employment in the UK, Mbare swiftly discovered that reality diverged significantly from his rosy expectations.
Mbare found himself working as a caretaker for the elderly, a role that demanded extensive hours, often stretching to a grueling sixteen hours per day, contrary to the employment terms that had guaranteed a more manageable 40-hour workweek. Additionally, his earnings fell considerably short of the initially agreed-upon amount, totaling a mere £1,100 (Sh. 201,200) monthly, instead of the promised £1,766 (Sh. 323,200).
To compound his challenges, his employer insisted that he procure a vehicle at his own expense, further denting his income. Exasperated by the persisting complaints regarding the working conditions, Mbare’s employer ultimately terminated his employment and declined to furnish him with a job reference letter.
Mbare’s endeavors to secure alternative care-related employment opportunities in the UK were stymied by the absence of a job reference letter. Confronted with a daunting 60-day timeframe within which to secure new employment or risk deportation, he made the tough decision to return to his homeland, Kenya. Today, he plies his trade as a carpenter in Juja, Kiambu County, his hometown.
In hindsight, Mbare expresses profound disappointment, saying, “I had believed that this job in the UK would substantially enhance my life.” To compound his tribulations, Mbare now grapples with a debt of £10,000 (Sh. 1.8 million), accrued during his relocation from Kenya to the UK.
