For over 10 years, Maureen Mbatha worked in Saudi Arabia as a house help. Life abroad was far from easy — her employer kept her passport, the working conditions were tough, and she had little education to fall back on.
Despite the hardships, Maureen remained strong. She prayed, worked tirelessly, and faithfully sent money home to support her family and secure a better future for her son.
Recently, she spotted an opportunity to buy land in her village for Ksh 150,000. Since she couldn’t travel home immediately, she entrusted her brother with the purchase. With full confidence in him, she sent the money via M-Pesa and gave clear instructions.
But instead of buying the land Maureen wanted, her brother secretly purchased a smaller, less valuable plot for Ksh 130,000. He then pressured her to accept the deal, warning that other buyers were interested and she might miss out.
When Maureen finally returned to Kenya, the painful truth hit her — her brother had betrayed her trust, and her dream investment had turned into heartbreak.
Her experience mirrors the struggles faced by many Kenyans working abroad, who sacrifice everything for their families only to fall victim to betrayal. It’s a powerful reminder of the need for safer, transparent ways for migrant workers to invest and protect their hard-earned money.
