Kenyan Woman Stranded in India After Falling Victim to Job Scam

A Kenyan woman is stranded in India after allegedly being trafficked and forced into sex work under false pretences.

Purity Cherono, a mother of two from Rongai in Nakuru County, says she was misled into travelling to India in July with the promise of a job as a masseuse. With previous experience in informal work, including as a cleaner in Somalia, she saw the opportunity as a chance to secure income for her family.

Shortly after her arrival, Cherono fell ill and was unable to start work. Once she recovered, she was moved to another city, where she claims she was coerced into sex work. According to her account, her passport was confiscated, leaving her unable to leave or seek help.

“I was shocked because this was not what we had agreed on back in Kenya,” she said in a public statement. “I want to come back home. My children are young, my siblings depend on me, and I recently lost my mother. I have no food and no money to pay rent.”

Cherono says she has been asked to pay KSh500,000 to recover her passport and complete formalities at the Kenyan embassy and local police station. She is currently unable to afford basic necessities or the costs required for repatriation.

Her case reflects growing concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers through deceptive overseas job offers. A lack of proper job verification and limited awareness of trafficking risks continue to leave many exposed to abuse.

Cherono has urged Kenyans to be cautious when pursuing employment abroad.