NAIROBI, Kenya — A disturbing video that went viral on Monday has sparked widespread anger in Kenya, prompting citizens to demand immediate answers and action from the government regarding the safety of Kenyans working abroad.
The chilling dashcam footage, captured in Dubai, shows a Kenyan taxi driver being assaulted by a male passenger.
The video shows the male passenger moving from one back seat to the other and placing his hands on the driver in what appears to be unwanted sexual advances. When the driver rejects the advances, the passenger threatens him: “you risk dying” if he refuses.
The driver is then seen crying out in terror as the attacker appears to strangle him.
In a desperate bid to escape, the driver forces his way out of the moving vehicle. He is left standing in shock on the road as the client drives away.
Silence from Kenyan authorities
The footage has ignited intense outrage across Kenyan social media platforms, with citizens criticizing the government’s apparent silence on the matter.
“It’s unthinkable! There is absolutely no reason for a black man to migrate to an Arab country. It’s insanity. A death wish,” one X user posted.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue any public statement to condemn the attack, demand justice, or offer reassurance regarding the protection of Kenyan citizens working in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
This silence is particularly troubling given the large number of Kenyans who risk everything to find employment abroad.
The vulnerability of migrant workers
The incident highlights the long-standing criticism that Kenya does not do enough to protect its migrant workers, many of whom face poor working conditions, abuse, and exploitation in Gulf nations.
According to recent government data, over 416,000 Kenyans live and work in GCC countries, which include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
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Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has noted that the UAE alone hosts more than 30,000 Kenyans. These workers send back billions of shillings in remittances, a critical contribution to the Kenyan economy.
President William Ruto has been a pioneer in championing labor export as a key strategy to create jobs and boost remittances.
However, the lack of a strong, immediate reaction from Kenya’s diplomatic and labor authorities following this public and graphic assault has intensified concerns over the safety and protection mechanisms afforded to these workers.
