Kirinyaga Woman Repatriated from Oman After Ombudsman Intervention

By : Mweru Mbugua 

A family in Gitumbi Village, Kirinyaga County, is celebrating the safe return of their daughter, Lilian Njeri, who was repatriated from Oman after weeks of alleged torture and distress

Njeri, 34, had travelled to Oman on November 7, 2025, seeking better economic opportunities, but her journey turned into a nightmare just three days after arrival

According to her mother, Mary Njoki, Njeri fell ill while working as a maid and was subsequently locked in an office by her employer

Her plight gained public attention after she shared videos pleading for help. These videos prompted concern from Kenyans, her family, and finally, intervention from the Commission for Administrative Justice (Ombudsman)

A Good Samaritan, Dennis Kariuki Muthii, took the family’s cry for help to the Ombudsman’s office. “After Njeri’s sister wrote to the Ombudsman, we were told to wait for her the following day at JKIA

I could not believe it,” Kariuki said. He later accompanied the family as Njeri was admitted to ACK Mt Kenya Hospital for treatment

According to Njeri’s uncle, Richard Mithamo, her employer had reportedly demanded over Ksh.600,000 for her release. The family, already strained and caring for a disabled child, said the demand was impossible to meet

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Njeri narrated that she had fallen into the hands of an abusive employer and endured physical assault. “It was my first time in Oman, and I found myself in the wrong hands,” she said

Her grandmother, Judy Muthoni Muriithi, expressed relief after sleepless nights spent seeking help. “We heard stories of how Kenyans suffer in some Arab countries, but seeing Njeri back home is a blessing,” she said

The family thanked the government, well-wishers, and the Ombudsman for facilitating Njeri’s rescue and safe return