Kenyans rescued from Myanmar narrate horrifying encounter
Kenyans who returned from Myanmar after being rescued have come out to narrate their ordeal.
Speaking after landing in the country on Saturday, April 5, 2025, the returnees described their lives in the Asian country as hell on earth.
They expressed their horrific experiences under individuals they thought would help them land better jobs in Thailand.
Narrating their encounter, they shared that some had been forced to work in telecom scam centers situated in regions controlled by rebel groups fighting the Myanmar government.
The victims claimed that they were denied salaries and were only allowed to sleep for less than two hours.
They also decried facing continuous harsh punishment.
Scamming work
John Kiarie, one of the returnees, narrated his ordeal stating that he was promised a job as a trained chef.
However, upon his arrival things took a different turn as he was forced to do scamming work, contrary to the agreed job.
When he tried to negotiate for a better job, he was told to pay about Ksh700,000. He also recounted being forced to work under pressure without salary for the three months.
“At first, you’re promised a good job, but when you get there, it’s not what you were told. I didn’t follow the right procedure. If I had known what was waiting for me, I would never have gone. I ended up doing scamming work,” Kiarie stated.
“We’ve suffered emotionally, physically, and financially. I thank Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, who received us at the airport, for the great work she’s done to bring us home,” he added.
Kiarie went on to describe the situation they found themselves in stating that people were tortured, others were beaten up before being forced to sit under the scorching sun for long hours.
“Punishment is there, we have seen people being tortured. Some are beaten up and they are told to sit in the scorching sun for long hours. The highest salary I ever got there is Ksh13,000, which cannot even sustain me and my family at home,” he added.
Dan Karani, another returnee, also described his encounter stating that he had gone to Thailand as an English teacher, having paid Ksh200,000 for the whole process.
“I had no money to apply for a working visa and therefore, went there using a tourist visa after passing here at JKIA,” he explained.
Upon his arrival, he was Picked up by a V8 car, before being driven to an undisclosed destination for about eight hours.
Efforts to learn of his destination failed to bear fruit due to the language barrier.
“When I arrived at the airport, I was picked by a big car like a V8 , a car that I have never been carried into since I was born. I knew that I have reached the Canaan but what I have passed through in the past four months is not easy,” he narrated.
“When we reached there, I knew it was all over before it began. We were given the work of online fraud. We were told bro steal money; we were told to dupe people and steal from them, if you are unable you would be punished,” he added.
He also detailed that his possessions including his phone and laptop were confiscated, and that his family is not aware of his return to Kenya.
“I want to tell Kenyans who want to go using backdoor routes that there are no jobs and salary in Myanmar, do that little job you have even if it is washing toilets,” he added.
The returnees have since called on the Kenyan government to intervene and rescue citizens still stuck in Myanmar.
On their part, the state led by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora affairs urged citizens to be vigilant to avoid being duped into non-existent jobs.
The ministry also stated that the returnees will undergo debriefing and psychological support by HAART Kenya.
“I urge Kenyans to only use registered agents by National Employment Authority (NEA), authenticate job offers using kazimaju@diaspora.go.ke or telephone 0114757002 and Kenyan embassy in Bangkok in any job promised in Thailand including also if they are stuck somewhere between Thailand and Myanmar and we will send you help,” Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu said.
