Rish Kamunge warns parents against sending children with alcohol addiction to work in Gulf countries
By Steve Ireri, June 11, 2026TikToker and businesswoman Rish Kamunge has issued a cautionary message to parents considering sending their children to work in Gulf countries, particularly those struggling with alcohol addiction.
In a TikTok video on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Kamunge advised that parents should carefully assess the health and behavioural challenges of their children before seeking overseas job opportunities, warning that such environments may worsen existing alcohol-related problems.
She noted that individuals with alcohol dependency or strong drinking habits may face greater risks when placed in foreign work environments where alcohol is easily accessible and relatively affordable.
“Parents, if your child has an alcohol addiction problem, do not send them to work in Gulf countries. That is where alcohol is very cheap,” she said, adding that cases of deportation among some workers should serve as a warning.
Kamunge further argued that separation from home and lack of strict supervision could make it easier for affected individuals to continue or even escalate harmful drinking behaviours while abroad.
She also claimed that her experience working with job placements in the Gulf region has exposed her to similar cases, where individuals reportedly struggled with alcohol consumption while working overseas.
According to her, the availability of alcohol and limited restrictions in certain areas can make it difficult for individuals already battling addiction to maintain control, potentially affecting their work performance and legal status in those countries.
“You have seen the number of people who have been deported. If your child has issues with alcohol or any mental health challenges related to drinking, and cannot stay without alcohol, taking them abroad will only worsen the situation. There, they can drink all day. I have experience with these cases because I help people access jobs there, so I know what happens. Alcohol is easily accessible and very cheap,” she added.
She urged parents to reconsider sending children with known alcohol-related challenges abroad without first addressing the underlying issues, emphasising that doing so could worsen their situation rather than improve it.
“The reason is also that many people in Arab countries do not drink heavily. So if your child is going to work there and has such a problem, do not send them,” she said.