The enigmatic circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Ruth Nyathira Njuguna, a Kenyan woman who passed away in her room in Saudi Arabia, have taken a new turn as her ex-employer comes forward with revelations shedding light on the unnerving sequence of events. The family's agonizing wait for information spanning three months has ignited concerns and raised critical questions about the handling of this unfortunate incident.
Delayed Revelation: Family Kept in the Dark
After a harrowing period of uncertainty, the remains of Ruth Nyathira Njuguna arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, August 24, 2023, months after her passing in March 2023. The most perplexing aspect was the family's belated notification of her demise, a fact they find deeply perplexing and unsettling.
The family's ordeal was magnified by the prolonged preservation of Ruth Nyathira Njuguna's body in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the time they remained unaware of her fate. This situation exacerbated the stress on her mother, who was already battling illness.
Hailing from Gatundu South, Ms. Njuguna's family was kept in the dark about her passing, a silence broken only in early August. The untimely communication breakdown and the unexplained delay in revealing the tragic news placed an immense emotional and psychological burden on her loved ones.
Alarming Revelations: Friend Raises Doubts
Phelsiah Moraa, a close friend of the deceased, revealed that Ms. Njuguna had passed away in March, yet her employer in Saudi Arabia had concealed this heart-wrenching truth from her family. The employer's account was chillingly brief, mentioning that she had been found deceased in her room, without elaborating on the circumstances leading to her death.
Disturbingly, it came to light that all communication between Ms. Njuguna and her family was mediated solely through her employer's personal phone number. She had no independent means of contact beyond her work environment. This already tenuous communication ceased abruptly in March, coinciding with her tragic demise.
Employer's Perspective Raises More Questions
When questioned about allegations that the employer had requested the family's authorization to bury Ms. Njuguna's remains in Riyadh and offer compensation, the employer's response raised more questions than it answered. The employer's identity remained undisclosed and their comment enigmatic: "Ruth has come to you, and most importantly bye," adding a layer of complexity to an already heartrending situation.
In their defense, the anonymous employer stated that they had informed the recruitment agency, Tatan East Africa Agency, about Ms. Njuguna's passing in March. Nairobi News is endeavoring to obtain the agency's perspective on the matter, though attempts to reach them have been unsuccessful thus far.
Urgency for Justice and Government Intervention:
Phelsiah Moraa emphasized the urgency of Kenyan government intervention to ensure justice for Ruth Nyathira Njuguna. The revelation that her family learned of her death only when her employment contract had ended underscores the critical need for transparency, accountability, and action to bring closure to this deeply unsettling situation.
As investigations continue and the family grapples with the lingering questions surrounding Ruth Nyathira Njuguna's demise, the broader implications of timely communication, accountability, and international labor practices come to the forefront.