A nursing career cut short by school fees has transformed into a story of architectural hope for one Thika family. Lissah Khan, who was forced to drop out of her nursing course, rerouted her life to Saudi Arabia and has now built her parents a permanent home from her earnings as a nanny.

This achievement provides a powerful, positive datapoint in the complex and often grim narrative of Kenyan domestic workers in the Gulf. For thousands of Kenyan families, the prospect of a relative working in the Middle East is fraught with anxiety over widespread reports of abuse, exploitation, and even death.

After her studies at Thika School of Nursing were halted, Khan made the difficult choice to seek opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Unlike the harrowing experiences frequently documented by human rights organizations, Khan reported finding a good employer who treated her like family. "Saudi Arabia has changed my life from grass to grace... I have hit the biggest milestone I ever imagined," she told TUKO.co.ke.

The house, which she noted cost KES 750,000 to build over a year and a half, is a significant investment. In Kenya, the cost of constructing a modest three-bedroom house can range from KES 2.5 million to over KES 5 million, depending on location and finishes, underscoring the scale of her accomplishment.

A Perilous Path for Many

While Khan's story offers a beacon of hope, it stands in stark contrast to the reality faced by many. Numerous reports document systemic exploitation of migrant workers under the Kafala sponsorship system, which legally binds them to their employers.

Organizations like Amnesty International have detailed cases of Kenyan women enduring grueling 16-hour workdays, confiscation of passports, and severe physical and verbal abuse. The Kenyan government has faced criticism and legal challenges for not providing adequate protection for its citizens, though it has made efforts to repatriate workers and is considering new legislation like the Labour Migration Management Bill to regulate recruitment agencies.

Despite the risks, the economic pull remains strong. Remittances from Saudi Arabia are a vital source of foreign exchange for Kenya, with the Gulf nation recently becoming one of the top three sources of diaspora cash inflows. However, recent changes to Saudi work permit rules have caused a dip in these figures, highlighting the precarious nature of this economic lifeline.

Khan, who plans to return to Kenya in 2027, encourages others not to pass up the opportunity if it arises. Her success story serves as a testament to individual resilience, while simultaneously highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect all migrant workers.