As violence escalates in Lebanon, Kenyans who are domestic workers have sent a desperate plea to the government for immediate rescue.
These workers, who initially went to Lebanon for better job opportunities, are now stranded and unable to leave the war-torn country because their employers have confiscated their passports.
In an audio recording shared by Citizen TV, several Kenyans detailed their growing fears and the increasing danger they face.
Brenda Muthoni, one of the workers narrated that the situation had rapidly worsened.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have in recent days resulted in the deaths of over 600 people and left thousands injured, following a widespread bombing campaign.
The strikes were in response to two attacks that caused Hezbollah’s communication devices, such as pagers and walkie-talkies, to explode.
Moreover, Hezbollah has retaliated by launching hundreds of rockets at Israel, including one aimed at Tel Aviv.
Also Read: Kenyans in Lebanon Asked to Leave Immediately
Kenyans in Lebanon Narrate Crisis
Muthoni said that her boss flew out of the country when the violence increased leaving her behind with a family member.
“It was okay at first because the attacks were on the South of Lebanon. Now it’s getting worse. My boss flew away to Switzerland and left me behind with her brother,” she said.
However, she said that her employer’s brother also fled to Syria, leaving her without any means to escape the violence.
“We need help to get back to Kenya because there is bombing everywhere. We are in a safe place now, but we don’t know if this war will end.
“Our bosses don’t want to give us our passports so we cannot go anywhere. We are pleading for help to leave this country,” she explained.
At the same time, another Kenyan shared that they are being held in Lebanon against their will because many employers had confiscated their passports, leaving them alone and helpless.
Some of these Kenyan migrants have reportedly been locked inside their employers’ homes while their bosses fled the country, while others have been thrown out into the streets with no shelter.
Also Read: Govt Gives Direction on 26,000 Kenyans Stranded in Lebanon
Escalating Situation in Lebanon
The situation in Lebanon has gotten worse in recent weeks because of the growing instability due to the bombing.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs had earlier issued a warning to Kenyans living in Lebanon expressing concern for the violence and asking those who are in a position to leave the country to do so immediately.
Consequently, it noted that it was continuing evacuation processes for Kenyans in the country asking them to register urgently.
“Urgently register with us through this link: https://tinyurl.com/2m9nw4ww or call +96590906719/+96171175006/+254114757002 for evacuation purposes,”
“For Kenyans with family members in Lebanon, kindly call +254114757002 number provided for ease of safety coordination. Or visit our offices at the Old Mutual Building, Ground floor along Upper Hill Road.”
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