Over the past decade, a growing number of Kenyan women have left the country to seek domestic jobs in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. Often drawn by promises of better pay and opportunities to support families, these women — commonly referred to as househelps or domestic workers — have become part of a massive but often invisible financial force: the diaspora remitters.
While headlines often focus on the challenges they face abroad — abuse, poor working conditions, and lack of legal protection— a quieter, more empowering narrative is emerging. Kenyan women in Saudi Arabia are now channeling their hard-earned wages into investments back home, from land purchases and home construction to small businesses and education for their children.
Mary Atieno, 34, left her home in Migori in 2017 for Saudi Arabia. What began as a desperate move to clear family debts has morphed into a long-term plan for financial independence. “Every month, I send money to my sister. At first, it was just upkeep for my kids. But in 2020, I bought a piece of land through a women’s chama we formed here,” she says.
Mary is among thousands of Kenyan ladies working in the Gulf have adopted saving groups — informal investment clubs often coordinated via mobile apps or social media platforms. These groups pool resources to invest in land, build homes, or fund local businesses in Kenya.
Digital chamas have become the new cooperative societies of the diaspora. Through M-Pesa and online banking, these women manage joint accounts, buy land in satellite towns like Kitengela, Joska, and Juja, and even contribute to Sacco investments. “We started with 10 members, all housemaids in Saudi. Now we’re 30. Last year, we bought a plot in Kamulu. This year, our goal is to start building rentals,” says Lucy Wanjiru, a co-founder of Saudina Ladies Investment Group.
These women rely heavily on trusted relatives or appointed investment agents to help them navigate Kenya’s often opaque land and property market. Some have partnered with real estate companies offering diaspora-friendly payment plans.
While monthly earnings for most domestic workers in Saudi Arabia range from Ksh 25,000 to Ksh 35,000, the cost of living is low — allowing many to save and remit a large portion of their income.
The results are visible. In Kisii, Machakos, and Western Kenya, newly constructed bungalows and rental units bear testimony to the determination of women who endure harsh conditions abroad to change their economic realities at home.
Nancy Naliaka, 29, is currently on her second contract in Dammam. Her income helped build a two-bedroom rental unit in Kakamega town. “I don’t want to come back and start from scratch,” she says. “That house will feed me when I’m back.”
Supporting Families, Educating Children
For many, investment is not just about property. A significant portion of remittances goes toward educating children and siblings. School fees, college tuition, and even starting small businesses for relatives are common uses of diaspora funds.
According to a 2023 Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) report, Saudi Arabia accounted for over Ksh 20 billion in remittances—much of it traced to domestic workers. “Every term, I pay school fees for my two boys directly to their school. I don’t trust sending it to relatives. I even follow up with teachers via WhatsApp,” says Halima from Mombasa, currently working in Jeddah.
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Despite their resilience, many women face significant risks. Fraudulent land deals, dishonest relatives, and rogue agents have cost some their life savings. Others struggle with limited financial literacy and fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes. “I lost Ksh 300,000 to a fake plot deal in Ruai,” recalls one worker bitterly. “Now I only invest through my Sacco and ask for official documents.”
Some groups are now partnering with certified financial advisors and real estate firms that provide diaspora investment education and safe platforms for property ownership.
A Growing Economic Force
Experts say the investments by Kenyan women in the Gulf are reshaping rural economies and urban settlements. “What we are seeing is a quiet but powerful transformation,” says Dr. Maureen Amoke, a gender and migration expert. “These women are returning as landowners, not dependents. They are not just surviving—they are building legacies.”
The Kenyan government has also taken note. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has begun developing policies aimed at protecting migrant workers and streamlining their investment channels. A diaspora bank and investment fund are among the proposals being explored.
For most Kenyan women in Saudi Arabia, migration is not a dream — it’s a strategy. A painful, sacrificial one, but increasingly strategic. With every coin saved and every investment made, they are rewriting their stories from housemaids to homeowners, from victims to visionaries.
“It’s not easy out here,” Mary says. “But when I see my house taking shape in Migori, I know it’s worth it.”
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