Duped by agents, Kenyan nationals stuck in Bahrain

Manama : Nine Kenyan nationals, who were allegedly duped by a fake recruiting agent, are now stranded in the Kingdom. 

Though they want to return to the Kenya they cannot do so until they pay around BD250/-each for overstaying their visas. 

The men were promised skilled jobs by their agent upon arrival in the Kingdom. The agent also demanded a huge sum of money as a service charge, which they paid. 

However, the recruits were in the soup after landing in the Kingdom as they found out that instead of job visas, they were brought to the Kingdom on eVisas strictly meant for visiting purposes. 

“These nine Kenyan men were brought into the Kingdom on e-visas on the idea that they could obtain employment after their arrival; unfortunately, e-visas are strictly for visiting only and cannot be changed to work visas,” Marietta Dias, Chairperson of Migrant Workers Protection Society, Bahrain, told DT News. 

The men, Dias said, have now overstayed their visas by three months and suffered enormous hardships. “They now don’t have the financial means to get themselves back to Kenya.”

“Their overstay fines alone are well in excess of BD250/- each, at the rate of BD50/- per month

“A one-way ticket to Kenya is approximately BD150/- per person. 

“So far, with the help of benefactors from religious institutions and remittances from their already impoverished families back home, only three men have been able to leave Bahrain with two other men in detention and while the rest four waiting for a way to exit the Kingdom,” Dias said. 

 Marietta Dias told DT News that anyone wishing “to help them exit the country may contact the Migrant Workers Protection Society, Bahrain.”